The work will impact journeys between Newcastle and Scotland

Doncaster rail passengers are being warned of potential rail disruption, starting this weekend.

Passengers are being reminded that a £7.1 million package of railway improvements starts this weekend, affecting journeys between Newcastle and Scotland.

The work will impact journeys between Newcastle and Scotland. | Iconic

placeholder image — The work will impact journeys between Newcastle and Scotland. | Iconic

Network Rail teams will be at sites across the North East of England over the next three weekends – 19-20 September, 26-27 September, and 3-4 October.

The investment includes track renewal, upgrades to switches and crossings, improving drainage systems and renewing overhead line equipment.

This is in addition to a £4.6m investment on the line between North Berwick and Dunbar.

Passengers travelling on all three weekends are advised to plan ahead, allow extra time for journeys and check details of their journeys before setting off.

Some trains will be diverted around line closures, while others will have rail replacement services operating for stations between Newcastle and Edinburgh.

The improvement project will include:

Laying more than 3.2km of new track at Heaton North, Morpeth and Shortridge for smoother, more dependable journeys.
Replacing or refurbishing eight sets of points – the equipment which allows trains to move between tracks – at Heaton North, Morpeth, Alnmouth and Tweedmouth to improve reliability.
Renewing 1.5km of overhead line equipment to support more reliable electric train services.
Upgrading track drainage at Scremerston and clearing more than four miles of drainage systems to reduce the risk of flooding and weather-related delays.
Carrying out vegetation management to keep signals visible and prevent trees and leaves touching the overhead power lines, which can cause disruption.
Mandatory safety inspections of the track, points and structures along the route to maintain a safe and reliable railway.

Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER, said:

“This is a major programme of work that will help deliver a more reliable railway between Newcastle and Scotland for passengers and freight customers. These three weekends of work will see us deliver a significant package of improvements – renewing track, points, drainage and overhead line equipment across the route.

“By investing in this vital infrastructure now, we can reduce the risk of delays caused by flooding and failures, and help provide smoother, more reliable journeys for passengers and freight services.

“We know that engineering work causes disruption to passengers and we’re sorry to anyone whose journey will be affected. We want to thank passengers and residents for their patience while this essential work takes place.”

A spokesperson for the train operating companies said:

“These improvements will help deliver a more reliable railway for our customers, and we’re working hard as an industry to keep people moving over these weekends.

“Some trains can divert around the work, allowing customers to maintain direct rail connections. However, some stations will be served by rail replacement services. For those travelling on these weekends, we encourage you to check your journey before setting off and allow extra time to complete your journey.”

Check details of your journey with the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner or your train operator.

CrossCountry:

Rail replacement buses will run between Newcastle and Edinburgh, calling Morpeth, Alnmouth, and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

LNER:

No trains are able to run on the East Coast Main Line between Newcastle and Edinburgh via Berwick-upon-Tweed. Instead, an hourly service will divert and run between Newcastle and Edinburgh via Carlisle, with extended journey times. For customers in Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Reston, and Dunbar, rail replacement services will run towards Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Lumo:

Trains will operate to a reduced service between London King’s Cross and Newcastle only.

Northern:

Buses replace trains between:

Northumberland Park and Ashington on Saturday 19, Sunday 20, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September (You can use your ticket at no extra cost on the Tyne & Wear Metro between Newcastle and Northumberland Park)
Newcastle and Morpeth/Chathill on all three weekends.

ScotRail:

On Saturdays 19 and 26 September:

Edinburgh–Dunbar

Trains between Edinburgh and Dunbar will not run. Replacement buses will run between Drem and Dunbar via East Linton. Passengers can use ScotRail trains to/from North Berwick between Edinburgh and Drem at no extra cost to connect with ScotRail replacement buses.

Edinburgh–North Berwick

Trains operate as normal.

On Sundays 20 and 27 September:

As ScotRail do not run to/from Dunbar on Sundays, services are unaffected.

TransPennine Express:

Replacement buses will operate between Newcastle and Edinburgh.

On Saturdays 19 and 26, and Sundays 20 and 27 September, replacement buses will run: