Network Rail have completed renovation works over the recent Bank Holiday to improve passenger experience between Hitchin and London terminals. The project was worth over £2.8m to support the East Coast Digital Programme.
56 new cabinets have been installed to house the new equipment necessary to support a future digital railway. This programme will see the removal of traditional signalling systems from the side of the track, replacing them with innovative new digital signalling technology.
The installation of this new infrastructure will afford train drivers continuous in-cab communication by 2025, significantly increasing the safety standards amongst the rail services on the East Coast Main Line.
Toufic Machnouk, Network Rail’s Industry Partnership Director for Digital Railway, said:
“Working with our partners to deliver this brilliant progress over the bank holiday takes us closer to running a more resilient, greener, future-proofed railway for passengers.
“The East Coast Digital Programme will transform the way that trains move along the East Coast Main Line using digital trail control technology. We are using industry-wide expertise and innovation to install, test and eventually operate a better railway for people.
“I’d like to thank passengers for their support and patience while we delivered this work.”
The infrastructure works also saw the removal of a redundant footbridge and ticket office at New Southgate station, completing the transition to a relocated ticket office for Great Northern passengers.
Network Rail also deployed teams to the Northern City Line near Drayton Park, seeing repairs and renewals of over 300 metres of overhead line equipment to boost reliability, whilst also reducing the need for future requisite maintenance works.
Great Northern and Thameslink Customer Services Director, Jenny Saunders said:
“The work Network Rail is doing will help create the railway of the future, providing more reliable services for our passengers and, on the East Coast Main Line, the potential for more frequent services in the future.
“More testing will be taking place on the Northern City Line on 18 September and 9 October so please check how your service may be affected by visiting National Rail Enquiries’ online journey planner. We’re really grateful for your patience.”
The works on the East Coast Digital Programme are set to continue between Sunday 4th September and Sunday 9th October, meaning passengers should plan their future travels to ensure their journeys face as little disruption as possible.
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