Signalling upgrade work to affect trains to and from Middlesbrough this weekend

The upgrade work will mean disruption for trains operating both to and from Middlesbrough from the 13th to the 15th of November

Part of a £45 million project , the work being carried out at Middlesbrough will see the control of signals moved from two traditional signal boxes to Network Rail’s purpose-built Rail Operating Centre in York, seeing approximately 6 miles of signalling equipment in the area renewed.

Network Rails Rail Operating Centre at York — Credit: Network Rail

The two signal boxes, one of which is located just outside the station and the other at Whitehouse, close to Middlesbrough Docks, will be demolished as part of the huge future proofing project. The signals for the area are still operated by levers and switch panels in the boxes and last saw major work more than 40 years ago.

To enable the upgrade work to be carried out safely, there will be no trains operating both to and from Middlesbrough from Saturday the 13th to Monday the 15th of November, with rail replacement buses keeping passengers on the move.

Changes to services on Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of November:

Buses will replace trains between:

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Sunderland and Middlesbrough
Darlington and Saltburn
Middlesbrough and Whitby
TransPennine Express services to Redcar will start and terminate at Darlington.
Northallerton to Redcar.

Changes to services on Monday the 15th of November:

Buses will replace trains between:

Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.
Darlington and Saltburn.
Middlesbrough and Whitby.
TransPennine Express services to Redcar will start and terminate at Darlington.
Northallerton to Redcar.

Further work will take place on the 27th and 28th of November and will also see rail replacement buses running in place of trains between Middlesbrough and Whitby.

Changes to services on Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th of November:

Buses will replace trains between:

Middlesbrough and Whitby.
TransPennine Express services to Redcar will start and terminate at Darlington.
Northallerton to Redcar.

Due to the disruption, passengers are being advised to check their journeys ahead using National Rail Enquiries or via their train operator and allow for plenty of time.

Chris Gee, Operations Director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said:

“While signal boxes and lever frames are iconic reminders of our railway heritage, we need to invest in modern techniques to improve reliability for passengers and create a railway fit for the future.

“This work has been planned carefully to avoid any unnecessary disruption whilst still allowing our teams to work safely on site. I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work closely with Northern and TransPennine Express to keep passengers moving as we complete this essential work.”

Kerry Peters, Regional Director at Northern said:

“The upgrades being carried out by Network Rail will provide our customers with an even more reliable railway.”

“We are sorry for any disruption during the improvement work and our customers can be assured that both Northern and Network Rail will do everything possible to keep it to a minimum. Bus replacement services will be available for our customers.”

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director for TransPennine Express, commented:

“It’s fantastic to see continued investment in our railway infrastructure and these upgrades that will be taking place around Middlesbrough will improve reliability for our customers who use our services in that part of the world. To keep customers moving, we will be running rail replacement services between Northallerton and Redcar Central. While these improvement works are ongoing, we’d advise our customers to plan ahead and check before they travel.”