Network Rail has announced that planned railway improvement work in the North East will alter passenger services on Sunday, 3 and bank holiday Monday, 4 May.

Engineering teams will work at three locations to improve reliability across the network. The scheme includes drainage upgrades at Sunderland station to reduce flood risk and protect infrastructure, renewal of the Tile Shed level crossing at East Boldon, and installation of new switches and crossings at Pelaw in Gateshead, enabling trains to move safely between lines.

As a result, travel arrangements will change over the two days. Northern services between Newcastle and Horden will be replaced by buses, and Grand Central services will not run to or from Sunderland.

Tyne and Wear Metro services will be suspended between Pelaw and South Hylton, with replacement bus service 901 operating between South Hylton and Heworth, calling at all stations.

The Metro disruption will then extend to between South Hyton and Monument from 8:30 pm on 3 May until about 10:30 am on 4 May.

“By upgrading track equipment, level crossings and drainage, we’re helping to reduce future delays and keep services running safely. We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this essential work is completed and encourage them to check their journeys before travelling.”

Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER.

“Because of this planned engineering work, some services to and from Sunderland will be altered on May 3 and the bank holiday of 4 May, with replacement buses operating on parts of the route. Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and check journey details in advance.”

Spokesperson for the train operating companies.