East Coast Digital Programme Engineering Works
Engineering works are taking place on the East Coast Main Line as part of the East Coast Digital Programme.
These works are affecting some Grand Central services over the August Bank Holiday weekend while engineers carry out vital upgrades between London and Peterborough. The work requires safe access to the railway and means some services will be amended or will not run.
What is the East Coast Digital Programme?
The East Coast Digital Programme is a network scheme put in place to introduce in-cab digital signalling to replace the traditional trackside traffic-light signals. This will provide drivers with real-time digital information that will be available on-screen in their cabs - improving live conditions and movement communication. This will essentially reduce the cost of introducing digital signals on further rail lines in the future.
The East Coast Mainline is a vital line in the UK rail network and has been used for over 150 years now. By adding digital signalling to this essential line, we are ensuring that it can continue to serve us for many years to come, in the most effective way possible.
Dates Grand Central services will be affected
On the following dates, there will be no Grand Central services to introduce the new digital signalling on East Coast mainline trains:
- Saturday 29th August – The 17:32 Sunderland to London King’s Cross will not run
- Sunday 30th August – No Grand Central services
- Monday 31st August – The 07:48 London King’s Cross to Sunderland will not run. The following trains will operate additionally: 16:56 Bradford Interchange to London King’s Cross and 21:15 London King’s Cross to York
Be sure to check our live updates before travelling to be aware of any disruptions to services.
Benefits of the East Coast Digital Programme
Although the works of the East Coast Digital programme will cause some disruption to our services as well as others, it will be worth it when we start to see the long-term benefits of this work. See below some of the main benefits that the East Coast Digital Programme will provide:
- Eco-friendly journeys (reduced carbon use, gentler braking, smoother journeys, more confidence in train travel, resulting in fewer alternate transport emissions)
- Increased reliability
- Fewer engineering works and disruptions in the future
- Reduction of signal failures that result in delays
- Less physical equipment is needed
- Timely services
- Increased train safety - automatic braking for non-responsive drivers
- More efficient route details and general communication for train drivers
Get in touch with Grand Central
Feel free to get in touch with our helpful team with any additional concerns you may have. All of the work mentioned will be taking place over weekends or bank holidays as opposed to weekdays, to minimise disruption to your weekday routines and commutes.