Rail passengers are being thanked for their patience after a range of upgrades was delivered on the East Coast Main Line over the last two weekends.
Journeys between Peterborough and London King’s Cross were affected by planned engineering work, making improvements to track, drainage and overhead lines which power trains.
Enabling work for under-track cabling has also taken place between Biggleswade and Peterborough to prepare for digital in-cab signalling, under the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).
ECDP will see traditional, lineside signals replaced with continuous information displayed inside drivers’ cabs, meaning more punctual and reliable journeys for passengers in the future.
Ricky Barsby, Network Rail head of access and integration, ECDP, said: “We’ve taken another step towards the delivery of modern in-cab digital signalling that will enable a higher performing railway in the future.
“With the main line shut over two weekends, the opportunity has also been taken to deliver a whole range of improvements to the track and overhead line equipment that will help ensure reliable journeys in the here and now.”
“We’re sorry to passengers who were affected by the two weekends of disruption and thank them for their patience as we make these vital improvements.”
Work successfully carried out during the two weekends included investment in bridge timbers south of Finsbury Park and upgrades of switch and crossing equipment which allows tracks to separate, cross and rejoin, at Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn North, Harringay and Wood Green.
Also among the various tasks carried out was tunnel drainage work at Hadley Wood and the Barnet Tunnel, and track renewal at Wymondley. There were also improvements to the overhead line equipment at Hadley Wood, as well as between Wood Green and Hadley Wood, at Finsbury Park and between St Neots and Huntingdon.
Image credit: Network Rail
