Rail passengers are being advised to plan their journeys in advance ahead of pioneering work to test 21st century digital signalling systems on the East Coast Main Line.
The £1.4 billion-pound East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) will see traditional, lineside signals replaced with signalling displayed inside drivers’ cabs, which will mean more reliable journeys and a greener railway for passengers in the future.
On Sunday 25 August, the first long-distance train will test the newly installed system between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin at high speed.
This is in preparation for trains to run on this route using digital signalling from late 2025.
For the testing to be carried out under controlled conditions, the railway needs to be closed in and around the affected section.
There will be no Thameslink or Great Northern trains between Potters Bar, Peterborough and Royston, and between Hertford North and Stevenage on Sunday 25th August. Evening services from approximately 22:00 on Saturday 24 August and early morning services on Monday 26 August, until 09:00 will also be affected.
Rail replacement buses will keep passengers on the move, with people reminded to leave extra time for their journeys.
Long distance services on the East Coast Main Line will also be affected by the work and details can be found here.
Ed Akers, Network Rail’s industry partnership director, ECDP, said: “The testing work will take us a step closer to the introduction of digital, in-cab signalling on the East Coast Main Line, which will improve services for passengers and create a more reliable and resilient railway.
“We have carefully planned this work 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 25 August. I want to thank those passengers who will be affected for their patience and understanding of this work”.
Chris Fowler, network operations and performance director for Govia Thameslink Railway which operates Thameslink and Great Northern trains commented: “With no trains running on a key section of our route between London and Peterborough and Cambridge this August bank holiday, it’s essential that our customers plan ahead and allow plenty of extra time.”
The high speed European Train Control System (ETCS) testing planned for Sunday 25 August is expected to involve both a Grand Central Class 180 passenger train and a Network Rail Class 43 measurement train.
Testing and proving will continue between Welwyn and Hitchin at various stages in the coming months, involving different trains and onboard systems.
Much of the work will be done overnight, avoiding any impact on regular passenger services.
For further information about the ECDP visit www.eastcoastdigitalprogramme.co.uk
Image credit: Network Rail
