Weekend rail disruption for signal upgrade works

Network rail said rail replacement buses will operate between several routs across the East

Passengers have been warned of train disruptions across parts of the East of England, including Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and parts of Cambridgeshire, due to planned signalling upgrade works.

Network Rail said a large section of the railway south of Peterborough will be closed between Saturday and Sunday.

This was due to in-cab digital signalling being installed as part of a £1.4bn East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), which aimed to create greener, safer and more reliable journeys for passengers.

As a result, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) will have rail replacement coaches between Peterborough and Bedford, where customers can join train services to London St Pancras.

Other works taking place on the same weekend include track renewal at Letchworth Garden City, rerailing at Welwyn and Wymondley and drainage improvements at Stevenage.

This means there will be no Grand Central services, while Hull Trains will operate an amended service running to and from London St Pancras.

In addition, there will be no Thameslink or Great Northern trains between Potters Bar and Peterborough/Royston, or between Hertford North and Stevenage.

Additionally, before 09:40 BST on Sunday, buses will replace trains between Finsbury Park and Stevenage via Hertford North.

Ricky Barsby, Network Rail's head of access integration, ECDP, said: "The work taking place, including further testing, is part of our preparations for the introduction of digital in-cab signalling on the East Coast Main Line.

"We are also taking the opportunity to carry out vital work at other East Coast locations during the same weekend.

Further information regarding disruptions can be found on Network Rail's website.