TRAVELLERS going between Edinburgh and Newcastle will find the popular rail line closed for select dates in September due to upgrade work.
Trains will not be able to travel between the two cities on the weekends of 13-14 September and 20-21 September.
Network Rail – which operate Britain’s railways – has said that work will be carried out north of Newcastle on new tracks, drainage systems, switches, crossings, and improvements to overhead lines.
Operaters TransPennine Express and CrossCountry will provide rail replacement bus services in place of trains on the specified dates.
Network Rail says that these upgrades and improvements are “essential” and will deliver more “reliable” journeys for passengers and cargo over the coming years.
LNER, which operate services from London, will still operate an hourly service, but trains will be diverted via Carlisle, meaning journey times will be increased.
All Lumo services from London King’s Cross will terminate at Newcastle rather than making their way to Edinburgh.
ScotRail trains between North Berwick/Dunbar and Edinburgh will be replaced by buses on the Saturdays.
Sam MacDougall, Network Rail operations director, said: “We’re investing in the future of rail in the North-East by carrying out these essential upgrades to track, points, drainage and overhead line equipment.
“These improvements will help deliver more reliable journeys for passengers and freight in the years ahead.
“We appreciate that this work will mean a couple of weekends of where some journeys will take longer than usual, and we’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out these improvements.”
A spokesperson on behalf of the train operators said: “Our teams will be working hard to keep passengers on the move towards their destination as quickly and efficiently as possible during this work.
“Latest travel information, including how customers’ journeys may be affected, can be found on our websites, social media channels, or at our stations.”
One kilometre of drainage at Killingworth will be renewed to reduce delays caused by flooding, and Belford and Stannington will see improvements to their tracks.
Overhead line equipment between Pegswood and Widdrington will see improvement, as will the crossings at Belford and Berwick.
