No trains to run between Newcastle and Edinburgh on four …
No trains will run between Newcastle and Edinburgh on four consecutive weekends.
Work will be carried out to boost reliability on the northern end of the East Coast Main Line during four weekends in September and October. The key upgrades will take place between Newcastle[1] and Edinburgh.
In order to allow the work to take place safely, no trains will be able to run on the East Coast Main Line between the two cities on:
- Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September 2023
- Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September 2023
- Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October 2023
- Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 October 2023
Workers will be carrying out upgrades to the track. These include work to renew switches and crossings - the specialist piece of equipment which allows trains to move from one piece of track to another. Teams will also work to improve overhead line equipment, drainage and remove vegetation.
Network Rail[3] said the work will help to boost reliability in the area, creating a more resilient railway. They said it will also deliver smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers.
Newcastle track upgrade (Image: Network Rail)
Coach replacement services will be in place between Newcastle and Edinburgh via Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Reston and Dunbar, as well as between Newcastle and Morpeth/Chathill. Diversion routes will also be in operation, which will increase journey times.
LNER will be operating a reduced service between Scotland and Newcastle. The company is advising customers to make seat reservations as services are expected to be popular.
Passengers planning on travelling on these dates are urged to plan ahead and check before travelling via National Rail Enquiries[4] or with their train operator.
Jason Hamilton, Route Programme Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said: "This work is vital and will help to boost reliability on this historic rail route, and improve journeys for all those using the East Coast Main Line.
"These upgrades do mean there will be significant changes to services on these dates, so we would urge passengers to plan ahead and check before travelling so they can see how their journeys are going to be affected.
"We’d like to thank all those impacted for their patience whilst this crucial work takes place."
A spokesperson on behalf of train operators on routes affected said: "The work between Newcastle and Edinburgh will result in disruption to services across four weekends in September and October, so we urge passengers to follow the advice given and check their journey before travelling.
"Rail replacement services and diversion routes will be in place to keep people moving but this will result in longer journey times and services may be busier than usual."
References
- ^ Newcastle (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Newcastle Airport flight cancellations and delays today in full as air traffic chaos continues (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ Network Rail (www.chroniclelive.co.uk)
- ^ National Rail Enquiries (www.nationalrail.co.uk)