Four weekends of signalling work will affect journeys south of Peterborough towards London.

As part of the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), a range of improvements will be carried out from the 31st January.

During the weekends, other work is also planned to take place, including track renewal at Finsbury Park, St Neots, Sandy station and Offord and renewal or refurbishment of switches and crossings at Hitchin, Woodwalton and Wood Green.

The overhead line equipment will be upgraded at Stevenage and between Sandy and St Neots, and the platform at Alexandra Palace will be upgraded.

Drainage will also be renewed at Stevenage, Harringay, Biggleswade and Langford.

Services will be affected on 31st January-1st February, 7th-8th February,  15th February, and 21st-22nd February.

Some areas will have no trains due to the work, with rail replacement buses in place.

Passengers are advised to check before travel; full details are available from the operator.

“A significant amount of vital work is taking place over these four weekends, including further steps to introduce digital signalling to the East Coast Main Line. This investment will mean a more reliable, greener and even safer railway for the millions of people who travel on this route each year.

“As well as the progress we’re making on digital signalling, we’re also taking the opportunity to complete a wide range of essential maintenance and renewal work. We appreciate that these upgrades will affect journeys, and we’re grateful to passengers for their patience while our teams carry out this essential work.”

Ricky Barsby, Network Rail’s head of access integration, ECDP