Rail passengers are being warned of longer journey times as engineering works linked to a station upgrade take place in Sunderland this summer. Network Rail stated that Sunderland station and nearby sites would be affected over four weekends in June and July.
Scope of Improvement Work
The improvement work includes 664 metres of new track through both the station's platforms and renewal of eight sets of points, where trains switch between lines. Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER, said: "We know this work will disrupt journeys and we’re sorry for any inconvenience, but these weekends of intensive engineering work will deliver significant benefits for passengers."
Network Rail said the points renewal would allow Nexus Metro services to access the main line and let operators reach sidings where trains reverse. The work would be "more complex" as the points are close to the station's platforms and between tunnel bores.
Additional Engineering Tasks
Other engineering work scheduled includes renewing equipment that warms rails to prevent snow and ice building up and work on a drainage system at Brockley Whins to help prevent flooding. Roads will also be resurfaced on level crossings at Boldon Lane and Tile Shed, as well as removal of overgrown trees and bushes which threaten to obscure two signals.
Mr Lindahl added: "This is a significant programme of upgrades over four weekends to improve the reliability and resilience of the railway for passengers in the Sunderland area."
Passenger Advice
A spokesperson for the train operating companies said: "We’re working closely with Network Rail to keep people on the move during the weekends when this important engineering work takes place. We’re encouraging customers to plan ahead and check before they travel as replacement buses will be in operation and journey times may be longer."
Schedule and Service Changes
The work is scheduled to take place on June 27-28, July 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19. On the first three weekends, Grand Central services between Sunderland and London King’s Cross will operate between Seaham/Hartlepool and London King’s Cross only. Rail replacement buses will operate between Sunderland and Seaham/Hartlepool.
On Sundays, the first train to London will start from Eaglescliffe at 9.24am, with a replacement bus running from Sunderland at 7.40am to Eaglescliffe to connect with the train. Northern will operate rail replacement buses between Newcastle and Horden while an amended service will run between Carlisle and Newcastle, and between Seaham and Middlesbrough.
There won't be any Metro trains running between Brockley Whins and South Hylton. A number 901 replacement bus service will run in both directions. Trains will be running elsewhere on the system, but there may be timetable changes.
On July 18-19, Grand Central will see rail replacement buses operating between Sunderland and Eaglescliffe. Trains will run between Eaglescliffe and London King’s Cross. Northern will have rail replacement buses between Newcastle and Middlesbrough, according to Network Rail.
