Network Rail are advising passengers to check before travelling between London King’s Cross and Peterborough over the 17th and 18th May.

Upgrades and testing will be carried out as part of the East Coast Digital Programme.

High-speed testing will take place between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin ahead of their introduction in early 2026.

Also, during the closure, engineers will start on preparatory work on the next stage of the project, between Biggleswade and Peterborough.

The section between Moorgate and Finsbury Park will become Britain’s first fully ‘no signal’ railway, with work taking place to remove lineside signals.

No trains will run between Peterborough and London King’s Cross over the weekend, with coaches running between Peterborough and Bedford for onward travel to London St Pancras.

“The testing work is another step towards the introduction of digital, in-cab signalling on the East Coast Main Line, enabling a more reliable and greener railway. The work will also see the removal of traditional signals on a stretch of commuter railway in London, pointing the way to the next generation railway.

“We recognise the work will lead to journeys taking longer over that weekend. We would like to thank all those affected for their patience and understanding.”

Ricky Barsby, Network Rail’s head of access integration for the East Coast Digital Programme