Network Rail is preparing a programme of improvements on the East Coast Main Line in North Yorkshire, with rail replacement buses planned across two weekends in October and November.
Services between Doncaster or Leeds and Darlington will be affected on 24–25 October and 31 October–1 November. Passengers have been advised to check their journeys before travelling.
Track, points and drainage works
The programme includes renewing points at Tollerton North, Colton Junction and Northallerton. Network Rail said the work is intended to improve reliability and reduce the need for unplanned repairs.
Almost 2.6km of track will also be renewed between York, Colton Junction, Holgate Junction and Skelton Junction, including rails, sleepers and ballast. Engineers will renew 300 metres of drainage near Chapman’s Bridge, close to Shipton, to help protect the railway from water-related problems.
Other work includes upgrading overhead line equipment between York and Colton Junction and across York station platforms, managing vegetation between Tollerton and Thirsk, and carrying out surface works on platform 2 at York.
York–Leeds closure
Separately, the Transpennine Route Upgrade will work between Saturday 24 October and Sunday 1 November, including weekdays, to install a new road bridge over the railway at Church Fenton and overhead line equipment for future electric trains.
There will be no trains between York and Leeds during the nine-day period. Replacement buses will operate between the two cities, with other services calling at stations between York and Micklefield and connecting with trains between Leeds, Selby and Hull.
Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER, said: “Engineers will be carrying out a major programme of improvements across North Yorkshire to make the East Coast Main Line more reliable for passengers and freight customers.”
He added: “We know these works will mean some journeys take longer than usual or involve a rail replacement bus. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused and we thank passengers for their patience while we complete these important improvements.”
Train operators said services would be amended and that some journeys could take longer or involve replacement buses. Passengers are being directed to National Rail or their train operator for the latest travel information.