Warning over train journeys

NORTH East rail passengers have been warned to check their train before they travel this weekend.

Network Rail is carrying out work to upgrade signalling and track in the region with disruption expected for the next four weekends.

Engineers will be moving control of the signalling from Bowesfield signal box to the rail operating centre in York, upgrading Urlay Nook level crossing and improving track, which will improve reliability.

Trains will not be able to run while the upgrade is taking place, affecting services between York and Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Darlington and Sunderland and stations in between.

Some services will be diverted whilst others will be replaced by buses. Passengers are asked to check their journey with National Rail Enquiries and allow extra time.

On Saturday from 6.30pm, TransPennine Express services north of York to Newcastle and Middlesbrough will be replaced by buses. From 8pm buses will replace LNER services between York and Darlington.

On Sunday, the 8.30am TransPennine Express service from York to Middlesbrough will be replaced by a bus. There will also be a bus replacement service between Thirsk and Northallerton between 3pm and 10pm.

The project will also impact on CrossCountry, Grand Central, LNER, Northern and TransPennine services on March 9-10, 16-17 and 23-24.

Rob McIntosh, Network Rail Route Managing Director, said: “We appreciate there is never a good time to close the railway and we are working closely with the train operating companies to keep disruption to a minimum.

“We apologise to passengers who will be inconvenienced while we undertake this vital £3.5m signalling enhancement project in the North East.

“The work carried out will create a more modern and reliable railway which will allow us to provide a better customer experience to the passengers and communities we serve.”