There will be major rail disruption both this coming weekend and later in the month.
A programme of engineering work will affect services on the East Coast Main Line during the bank holiday weekends of 2-4 May (May Day) and 23-25 May (Spring Bank).
This is when fewer passengers typically travel, says Network Rail.
Rail replacement buses will be operating.
Travel arrangements
(over both weekends unless stated)
LNER: Trains to and from the south will start and terminate at York, with trains to and from the north starting or terminating at Darlington or Northallerton. Rail replacement services will be in place between York, Northallerton and Darlington to assist with connections.
CrossCountry: Rail replacement buses will operate between York and Darlington.
Grand Central: No service to/from Sunderland, and the following alterations:
– Saturday and Monday: The 11.00 London King’s Cross to Sunderland will terminate at York and call additionally at Doncaster. The 15.32 Sunderland to London King’s Cross will start from York and call additionally at Doncaster.
– Sunday: The 12.00 London King’s Cross to Sunderland will terminate at York and call additionally at Doncaster. The 14.30 Sunderland to London King’s Cross will start from York and additionally call at Doncaster.
Lumo: A reduced and amended train service will run between Newcastle and Edinburgh/Glasgow Queen Street only.
Northern (2-4 May only): A rail replacement bus service will be in place between Poppleton and York.
TransPennine Express: No trains between York and Northallerton. Replacement buses will operate between York and Darlington/Redcar Central.
Much of the work is centred around York.
Bridge beams are to be installed at Landing Lane as part of the wider York Central regeneration project.
The work to install the new bridge forms part of a new access road to the site and is being undertaken over a single weekend.
That means the crane hire and other key resources is for a shorter, single period of time – meaning a saving of £1.25 million.
There will be three sets of points renewed near Tollerton. In the same area, work will take place to stabilise embankments and reduce the risk of landslips.
Jason Parrish, Network Rail head of planning, said: “These improvements are an important investment in the long‑term resilience of the East Coast Main Line. Renewing life‑expired equipment, improving drainage and strengthening embankments all help reduce delays and protect the railway.
“While there is never a good time to close the railway, scheduling the work over the bank holidays allows us to minimise disruption and deliver best value. We’re grateful to passengers for their understanding while we complete this vital work.”
