East Coast Digital Programme Engineering Works
East Coast Digital Programme works on the East Coast mainline are due to begin on Saturday, the 31st January. This means that some Grand Central services will be impacted on certain dates from the 31st January and throughout February due to East Coast Mainline engineering works. Engineers need safe access to the tracks to carry out this work, which affects services.
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 31st January and Sunday 1st February - no Grand Central services
- Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th February - no Grand Central services
- Sunday 15th February - no Grand Central services
- Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd February - no Grand Central services
- Sunday 15th March - no Grand Central services
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
Read our blog, East Coast Digital Programme - new & improved train travel, for a detailed breakdown of how the programme is going to benefit train users across the UK.
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 the weekends as opposed to weekdays, to minimise disruption to your weekday routines and commutes. Our services will be completely back to normal on Monday, the 23rd February, and services will be running as usual the coming weekend, so you won’t be missing out on your favourite days out by rail!