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Last updated: 01:31
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East Coast Digital Programme

East Coast Digital Programme

We're working with colleagues and partners across the rail industry to modernise signalling on some of our Great Northern and Thameslink routes.

This means that traditional lineside signals, many of which were installed in the 1970s, will be replaced by state-of-the-art digital signalling – creating a better performing East Coast Main Line for our customers and everyone else who uses it. 

There will be engineering works to allow this to be carried out. Here, you will find information about how your journey is affected. You can also find out more information about the programme, including answers to your frequently asked questions.

The next phase of the East Coast Digital Programme

Sunday 3 December

There will be an extremely limited service, with some stations not being served for the whole day.

Due to the limited service, we encourage you to travel on Saturday 2 December instead, if possible. See below for a summary of our service on 3 December.

Journey planners will be up-to-date from Monday 9 October. Please plan ahead and check your journey at nationalrail.co.uk.

No trains will run between:

  • Potters Bar and St Neots­
  • Potters Bar and Cambridge
  • Hertford North and Stevenage

A limited rail replacement bus service will run between:

  • St Neots and Bedford
  • Luton Airport Parkway and Hitchin, via Stevenage
  • Cambridge North and Audley End, via Cambridge
  • St Albans and Welwyn Garden City

Services will be busier than usual, so queueing systems may be in place and you may not be able to board your chosen service.

Your tickets will also be accepted on Thameslink services between Bedford, Luton Airport Parkway and London St Pancras, at no additional cost.

Trains will run between:

  • Kings Cross and Potters Bar (Semi fast)
  • Moorgate and Potters Bar (All stations)
  • Moorgate and Hertford North (All stations)
  • St Neots and Peterborough
  • Cambridge North and Kings Lynn

The following stations will have no service for the whole day:

  • Arlesey
  • Ashwell and Morden
  • Baldock
  • Biggleswade
  • Foxton
  • Huntingdon
  • Letchworth Garden City
  • Meldreth
  • Royston
  • Sandy
  • Shepreth
  • Brookmans Park
  • Hatfield
  • Knebworth
  • Watton-at-Stone
  • Welham Green
  • Welwyn North

There will be NO alternative travel options from these stations.

Signalling a new era of train travel

We’re using the latest technology to deliver a next generation railway. Find out more below:

image of a train

What benefits will this work bring to customers?

As well as improving reliability, digital signalling reduces carbon emissions and provides a more punctual service for customers and everyone else who depends on it.

Our work on this programme plays a key part in ensuring we are delivering a resilient railway that is more reliable - that is fit for the future.

a hand in front of a screen

What work is being done, and when?

Digital signalling technology will first be introduced on the Northern City Line, between Finsbury Park and Moorgate.

It will then be progressively rolled out on the southern section of the East Coast Main Line, between Peterborough and London Kings Cross.

It is expected that the first trains to operate on the East Coast Main Line using digital signalling technology will run in 2025, with all improvements expected to be completed by the end of the decade.

a man sitting in a train cab

What is digital signalling?

Digital signalling - or European Train Control Signalling (ETCS):

  • Provides continual speed information to the driver
  • Replaces the need for conventional, lineside signals
  • Allows signallers to communicate with trains continuously and respond in real time

Our Thameslink drivers already use digital signalling on our cross-London route between London Bridge and St Pancras/Kentish Town  

Frequently Asked Questions