Passengers travelling through Hitchin later this month are being advised to plan ahead, as a large section of the East Coast Main Line will close for major engineering work over the weekend of Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November.

The closure — part of the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP) — will affect services between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin, as engineers test new in-cab digital signalling designed to make journeys greener, safer and more reliable.

The landmark upgrade will see trains controlled via digital screens in drivers' cabs, replacing traditional lineside signals. The testing will involve trains moving in and out of the digitally controlled section, while further work continues on trackside equipment.

Network Rail teams will also use the weekend shutdown to carry out other essential improvements, including track renewal at Letchworth Garden City, rerailing at Welwyn and Wymondley, and drainage works at Stevenage.

The work means significant changes to services for Hitchin passengers:

• No Grand Central services will operate.
• Hull Trains will run amended services to and from London St Pancras.
• LNER will provide rail replacement coaches between Peterborough and Bedford, connecting with mainline services to London St Pancras.
• Lumo will operate only between Edinburgh and Newcastle.
• No Thameslink or Great Northern trains will run between Potters Bar and Peterborough/Royston, or between Hertford North and Stevenage.

Ricky Barsby, Network Rail's head of access integration for the East Coast Digital Programme, said:

"This testing marks another important step towards introducing digital in-cab signalling on the East Coast Main Line. Its gradual rollout will make the railway fit for the future and deliver more reliable, greener services for passengers.

We know there's never a good time to close the railway, but late November is a relatively quiet period before the busy Christmas season. We're grateful to passengers for their patience and encourage everyone to check before they travel."

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A spokesperson for the train operating companies added:

"We'll be working hard to keep passengers on the move while this essential work takes place, with replacement buses and revised timetables in place. Please plan ahead and check before travelling."

For the latest travel updates and timetables, visit National Rail Enquiries or the relevant train operator's website before setting off.