Network Rail says it has reached the midway point in a run of four weekends’ improvement work on the East Coast Main Line.

The infrastructure manager added that it had made strong progress and was preparing for important digital signalling tests.

To date, engineers have carried out track renewal work at Finsbury Park, St Neots and Sandy and Offord. They have also renewed switches and crossings at Hitchin and Woodwalton, upgraded overhead line equipment between Sandy and St Neots, renewed drainage at Stevenage, Biggleswade and Langford, and carried out platform upgrades at Alexandra Palace.

Work has also taken place to reprogramme the on-track balises (beacons) ready for upcoming testing as part of the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) – scheduled for 15 February and 21-22 February – with 101 test cases planned including train testing, speed restriction management and shunting.

A full system data update will also take place​, as preparations continue towards digital signalling being introduced on the East Coast Main Line between Welwyn and Hitchin from later this year. Network Rail said moving to in-cab signalling would enable more reliable, greener, and even safer journeys.

The work means that on 15 February there will be no long-distance services between Peterborough and London, and no trains between:

Potters Bar and St Neots/Letchworth Garden CityMoorgate and Finsbury ParkStevenage and Hertford North

Rail replacement buses will operate between Peterborough and Bedford. Thameslink and Great Northern will have various rail replacement bus services in place, with some bus routes connecting up with train services on the Midland Main Line for journeys to and from central London.

On 21-22 February there will be no trains between Potters Bar and Peterborough/Royston, and no trains between Hertford North and Stevenage. Long distance operators will run amended services with rail replacement bus services in place between Peterborough and Bedford. Thameslink and Great Northern will have various rail replacement bus services in place, with some bus routes connecting with train services on the Midland Main Line for journeys to and from central London.

Ricky Barsby, Network Rail’s head of access integration, ECDP, said: “I’d like to thank passengers for their patience during the closures over the last two weekends. A huge amount has been done by our teams to deliver a wide range of vital work to upkeep and upgrade the network, and to prepare for further digital signalling testing.

“We have a further three days of route closures this month, as critical testing takes place ahead of the introduction of in-cab digital signalling later this year. This will be an exciting change to the way we operate the network, enabling more reliable services for the thousands of passengers who depend on the East Coast Main Line. We thank passengers for their understanding over the three upcoming affected days.”

A spokesperson for the train operating companies added: “We’re grateful for passengers’ patience for the past two weekends of work. We’ll continue to work hard to keep passengers moving while this essential work takes place. Rail replacement bus services and revised timetables will help people reach their destinations, and our teams will be on hand to support customers. We encourage everyone to check their journey before travelling.”

Learn more about ECDP here.