Network Rail warning to 'check before travel' this weekend

Network Rail has warned train passengers to check before they travel this weekend. Signalling tests will be made on the popular East Coast Main Line between Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 2024.

The work comes as part of the £1.4billion East Coast Digital Programme. The East Coast Main Line is one of the most popular routes in the country, with more than 20 million passengers using it each year.

It spans the 393-mile trip from London to Edinburgh. As the programme is rolled out, the stretch between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin, in Hertfordshire, will under go high-speed testing in order to trial digital signalling systems.

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This will directly affect long-distance trains leaving from London King's Cross this weekend, Express reports. Passengers will also face a reduced service, including those using a service by Hull Trains and Lumo.

LNER will also be operating a reduced service on trains which start and terminate at St Neots or Peterborough. But a replacement coach service will run to Bedford, where travellers can join a Thameslink or EMR service to London St Pancras.

Network Rail said passengers should give themselves extra time to travel and check their service is still running before setting off. Rick Barsby, head of access integration at Network Rail, said tests will help to put on better train services.

But there could be longer journeys this weekend. He said: "The testing work is a further step towards 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 greener railway.

"We recognise the work will lead to journeys taking longer over that weekend. We thank all those affected for their patience and understanding." The tests are due to finish on Sunday, December 1 2024.

Rory Brimmer, director of the short-term vehicle rental service Turo, said disruptions to rail services could cause issues for passengers over Christmas. He added: "Owning a car makes no sense for a huge number of people in our largest cities.

"But at Christmas, this lack of flexibility can make a trip home really stressful, with half of rail users in our survey worried they won't make it on time. What should be a joyful journey home to see family for the festive season has become an anxiety-inducing experience for many.

"And once at home many of us end up feeling like kids again - forced to conform to another person’s schedule and feeling like a burden."