Warning issued to travellers ahead of August Bank Holiday
Travellers have been urged to plan ahead with engineering works likely to disrupt some journeys.
Rail passengers have been warned to plan ahead during the August bank holiday as planned work is set to cause disruption. The East Coast Main Line is set to undergo digital signalling work which is likely to impact services across the country.
There will be no services between London King’s Cross and Peterborough because of testing work as part of the East Coast Digital Programme and maintenance between Peterborough and Potters Bar. It is expected that the majority of the disruption will occur on Sunday 24 August, but some services will be affected on the evening of Saturday 23 August and the morning of Monday 25 August. Jonathan Daniels, head of ECDP integration, Network Rail, said: “The testing taking place in late August is another step forward as we work towards the introduction of digital in cab signalling on the East Coast Main Line, providing more reliable and greener services for passengers.
Read more: 'Hidden gem' next to the sea makes perfect holiday spot and is train ride away
Read more: I took an iconic steam train journey in the UK but I'd never do it again
“The work has been carefully planned to avoid the busiest times of the August Bank Holiday weekend, and where possible passengers may be able to avoid this disruption by travelling before or after Sunday 24 August.
“I’d like to thank those passengers who will be affected for their patience and understanding of this work.”
The work could bring disruption for football fans, with Leeds United set to travel to the Emirates Stadium, close to Kings Cross, to play Arsenal on Saturday 23 August.
The planned engineering work is one of several projects being undertaken across the bank holiday weekend.
Track renewals at Garrison Street and Tyseley from Saturday, August 23 to Monday, August 25 means rail replacement buses will be in place between Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street.
Avanti and CrossCountry services will be diverted with extended journey times, and London Northwestern services will terminate at Birmingham International.
Helen Hamlin, Network Rail's chief network operator, said: "With the August bank holiday weekend approaching, we've carefully planned our engineering work to minimise disruption, allowing people to rely on the railway and make the most of the late summer bank holiday weekend.
"While the vast majority of the railway will be running, works on some parts of the network are unfortunately unavoidable, as we complete major work to support a better, more reliable railway that we wouldn't be able to complete in a normal weekend.
“So, we're asking passengers to check their journeys in advance to ensure their route isn't affected.”
