Network Rail has announced the schedule of the key works for the £1.2 billion (EUR 1.35 billion) East Coast upgrade programme that will deliver improved reliability and punctuality for passengers and will ensure additional capacity to meet the future demand.
A major part of the project is replacing the 50-years-old tracks and a track layout on the 2.5-km approach into London King’s Cross. The King’s Cross work will include a re-design of the track layout and re-opening a third tunnel closed in the 1970s, to create six tracks into the station, instead of the current four. This will increase reliability and enable trains to arrive and leave the station more rapidly, helping to keep trains on time.
The project will require temporary closure for the individual tracks and platforms at King’s Cross from 1 March to 4 June 2021. Thus, there will be temporary changes to LNER, Great Northern, Thameslink, Hull Trains and Grand Central services, with a slightly reduced peak service into and out of King’s Cross compared to current levels. Off-peak services will be less impacted, and passengers will be encouraged to travel at less busy times.
Network Rail also plans closures for this year.
Ahead of the work at King’s Cross, Network Rail is also building a new tunnel and 3 km of new line at Werrington, north of Peterborough so that slower moving freight trains will no longer cut across the East Coast Main Line, helping to unlock capacity on the route.
“The £1.2 billion East Coast Upgrade programme is vital to improve the service on the railway for tens of thousands of passengers who travel on the line. The King’s Cross work will cut congestion and speed up arrivals and departures every day, when it’s complete. And that’s why we are grateful to everyone for their patience while these vital works are done,” Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said.
Share on:
