Network Rail has made significant progress in its £6 million programme of improvements to the railway in the Sunderland area, with further work scheduled for the next two weekends.

During these weekends, Network Rail will:

• Replace the worn-out track and points at Sunderland station.
• Renew point heating equipment, which prevents snow and ice from accumulating.
• Renew drainage at Brockley Whins to help prevent flooding during heavy rainfall.
• Resurface level crossings at Boldon Lane and Tile Shed.
• Upgrade points at Boldon.
• Remove overgrown vegetation.

Train service alterations over the weekend of Saturday/Sunday, 11th/12th July:

• Grand Central services between Sunderland and Seaham/Hartlepool will be replaced by buses, with trains to London King’s Cross starting at Seaham/Hartlepool.
• Northern services between Newcastle and Horden will be replaced by buses.
• There will be changes to Northern services between Carlisle and Newcastle, and Seaham and Middlesbrough.
• Tyne & Wear Metro services between Brockley Whins and South Hylton will be replaced by buses.

Train service alterations over the weekend of Saturday/Sunday, 18th/19th July:

• Grand Central services between Sunderland and Eaglescliffe will be replaced by buses, with trains to London King’s Cross starting at Eaglescliffe.
• Northern services between Newcastle and Middlesbrough will be replaced by buses.

“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

“We’re working closely with Network Rail to keep people on the move during the weekends when this important engineering work takes place. We’re encouraging customers to plan ahead and check before they travel, as replacement buses will be in operation and journey times may be longer.”

A spokesperson for the train operating companies