Passengers planning to travel on the East Coast Main Line this weekend are urged to plan ahead as the East Coast’s £1 billion digital program continues. Four train operators will run modified and reduced service on Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19, while Grand Central services will not operate at all.

The disruption comes as the East Coast Digital Program aims to provide more reliable rail between London King’s Cross and Peterborough. The government-backed East Coast Digital Program aims to create the next generation of rail travel, according to Network Rail.

In order for the work to be carried out safely, no trains will run between St Neots (south of Peterborough), or between Royston and London over the weekend. London King’s Cross and Moorgate stations will be closed this weekend and there will be no services to or from St Pancras International via Finsbury Park.

READ MORE: Inside the £1 billion plan to transform one of London’s busiest rail lines with high-tech signaling so more trains can run

Passengers are urged to check with National Rail or their train operator’s website for the latest information on train replacement services. During the same weekend (18-19 February), a major track renovation program will start around Preston station which will affect services on the West Coast Main Line.

The works come as a new signage system is being put into use in the area of ​​Wood Green and New Barnet in north London to prepare the area for future digital signage. New equipment and technology is also being installed alongside the line between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin in Hertfordshire, as this section will become the first part of the East Coast Main Line to operate with digital signage.

Paul Rutter, Network Rail’s East Coast Route Director, said: “It’s exciting to see the East Coast digital program move forward as we get closer to offering passengers more reliable travel along a digital railway that it is fit for the future.

“There will be significant changes to services over the weekend so that we can safely provide these benefits and we are sorry if this impacts people’s plans. We have worked closely with train operators to keep people moving, so passengers should plan ahead.”

Full list of train operators that will be affected this weekend:

Grand center:

There will be no services from Grand Central this weekend.

In addition, on Monday 20 February the 08:27 service from London King’s Cross to Sunderland is also cancelled.

Hull trains:

A reduced and modified service will run this weekend, with trains being diverted to go to and from London St Pancras International instead of to and from London King’s Cross.

On these days, Hull Trains services will not call at Beverley, Cottingham, Retford or Grantham.

LNER:

Trains will not run between St Neots and London King’s Cross.

The replacement coaches will run between St Neots and Bedford for alternative train services to and from London.

Until 10am on Sunday, February 19, services will begin and end in Grantham.

Light:

Trains will only run between Edinburgh and Peterborough. The replacement buses will run between Peterborough and London King’s Cross.

For more information and the latest travel updates, visit the National Rail website here

To receive breaking news and stories from London and the UK tailored to your preferences, sign up for one of our personalized newsletters here.

For more news on London and the surrounding area, visit the MyLondon home page.

READ NEXT: