Network Rail is warning passengers travelling through Sunderland of major disruption over four weekends between June and July as a series of infrastructure upgrades are carried out in the area.
Engineering work will take place on 27-28 June, 4-5 July, 11-12 July, and 18-19 July at Sunderland station and several nearby locations. The programme includes the renewal of 664 metres of track through both station platforms, designed to deliver smoother journeys and reduce future maintenance requirements.
A major element of the project involves replacing eight sets of points. The section of line is used by both Nexus Metro and main line services, including access to sidings where trains terminate and reverse.
Other improvements include new point heating equipment to help prevent snow and ice affecting services during winter, replacement of 373 metres of drainage at Brockley Whins, resurfacing works at Boldon Lane and Tile Shed level crossings, installation of new point components at Boldon, and vegetation clearance.
The works will affect train services on all four weekends. On 27-28 June, 4-5 July, and 11-12 July, Grand Central services will operate only between Seaham or Hartlepool and London King’s Cross, with rail replacement buses serving Sunderland. On Sundays, the first southbound service will depart Eaglescliffe at 09:24 am, with a connecting replacement bus leaving Sunderland at 07:40.
Northern will run replacement buses between Newcastle and Horden, while Metro services will be suspended between Brockley Whins and South Hylton. On 18-19 July, Grand Central and Northern will again operate replacement bus services on affected sections of their routes.
“This is a significant programme of upgrades over four weekends to improve the reliability and resilience of the railway for passengers in the Sunderland area. This includes renewing track, points and drainage, as well as improvements at level crossings and other locations. We know this work will disrupt journeys and we’re sorry for any inconvenience but these weekends of intensive engineering work will deliver significant benefits for passengers.”
Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER.
Responses
Whilst they’re about it why not rebuild Sunderland railway station. Its an absolutely hideous piece of modern architecture which is a blot on the landscape; very depressing to look at and even worse to use. If anyone was paid to ‘design’ it they must be laughing all the way to the bank!