Significant disruption this weekend across LNER route

Significant disruption this weekend across LNER route as Network Rail carry out essential improvement works.

• Customers advised NOT TO TRAVEL on Saturday 24 August and Sunday 25 August
• On Monday 26 August there will be a reduced train service, with customers strongly recommended to make seat reservations in advance.
• Network Rail essential improvement works are part of East Coast Upgrade which will deliver quicker and better journeys across the route and more direct services to London.

On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August, King’s Cross station will be completely closed. There will be no LNER trains running to or from London King’s Cross station, with southbound trains terminating at Peterborough, and severe disruption on the rest of the route. We are strongly advising customers not to travel on these days.

On Monday 26 August there will be a reduced timetable across the route and trains are expected to be extremely busy. LNER strongly recommend customers make reservations to avoid standing up for all or part of their journey. Where possible, all passengers are advised to travel on or before Friday 23 and on or after Tuesday 27 August instead.

Network Rail are carrying out these essential improvement works as part of The East Coast Upgrade Programme, a £1.2 billion investment in our route, which, once complete, will deliver:

• Tracks on the approach to London King’s Cross station remodelled;
• New terminating platform built at Stevenage for London suburban train services;
• Dive-under constructed at Werrington, just north of Peterborough, to remove conflicts with freight services.

Ed Akers, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail, said: “We are reminding passengers that there will be significant disruption to journeys on the East Coast Main Line this Bank Holiday weekend, with customers urged not to travel on 24/25 August.

“If this is not possible, we are urging passengers to be prepared and to allow additional time for their journey. We understand that this work is disruptive and we are sorry for that, however this is vital work which will improve the railway and provide benefits for passengers in the long run. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who are impacted for their patience.”

Warrick Dent, Safety and Operations Director, LNER said:  “I strongly advise all customers not to travel on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August and to ensure seat reservations are booked in advance if planning to travel on Monday 26 August. Additional information and travel advice can be found on our King's Cross page here.  

“I would like to thank all customers for their patience as Network Rail carry out essential improvement works this weekend.”

What's happening on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August?

• On Saturday 24t and Sunday 25 August there will be a severely limited train service due to major Network Rail engineering works and we strongly advise customers not to travel.
• We advise customers to travel Thursday 22, Friday 23 August (afternoon ticket restrictions lifted), and on Tuesday 27 August where possible.
• There will be no trains running to or from King’s Cross. Replacement buses will run between Peterborough and Bedford for connections to/from London
• Between Peterborough, Doncaster and York trains will be diverted, resulting in significantly longer journey times and replacement buses in operation for some services.
• Between Doncaster and Leeds and York and Edinburgh there will be a reduced train service, so check before you travel.
• Between Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen, services will be mainly unaffected, however they’re still likely to be very busy.

What's happening on Monday 26 August?

• A reduced train service will be in place across the entire LNER route.
• Customers should be advised that train services will be very busy and reservations are strongly advised, as customers travelling without a reservation are likely to have to stand for all or part of the journey.
• Trains will be diverted between Doncaster and Newark Northgate – adding up to 60 minutes to the journey.
• Rail replacement coaches will run between:

• Retford and Peterborough at the start and end of the day (calling at intermediate stations)
• Retford and Newark Northgate in the middle of the day.

Read more about the planned engineering works here LNER.co.uk/kingscross.