With major upgrades due to get underway this weekend, Network Rail is urging passengers to check before they travel to, from or through Newcastle Central station.
Passengers can look forward to smoother, more reliable journeys through the city, as the scheme is set to help more trains run on time. Engineers will renew 750 metres of track and five sets of switches and crossings – the specialist pieces of rail which allow trains to move between tracks.
Work to renew the overhead line equipment, which powers some trains, will also be done over the weekend. Packaging this work together will mean less disruption for passengers in the future.
To allow teams to carry out the work safely, there will be major changes to LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry, and Lumo services throughout the weekend. Buses and coaches will replace some trains, while some are diverted via other routes.
Passengers are reminded to plan ahead via National Rail or their train operator’s website, check before they travel and allow plenty of time to complete their journey.
Sam MacDougall, east coast operations director for Network Rail, said: “This weekend marks the start of a major upgrade for passengers travelling to and through Newcastle. This huge package of improvements will help us offer a more modern and reliable railway for passengers, now and in the future.
“Unfortunately, in order to deliver these benefits, there will be some significant changes to services between Newcastle and Scotland. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience, apologise for any inconvenience and remind people to check before they travel.”
The significant project will continue between Saturday 1 and Monday 10 October inclusive, ultimately delivering a better railway for regional passengers, as well as those travelling on long-distance services through Newcastle.
More information on the upgrade can be found here.
Image credit: Network Rail
