On Sunday 30 August 2026, further work to deliver the East Coast Digital Programme, which will bring digital in-cab signalling to part of the rail network, means that no LNER trains can operate between Peterborough and London King’s Cross.
Now, for the first time, to help customers remain on trains for journeys to and from London, LNER will divert two return services from Newcastle to Bedford* – calling at Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York, and Doncaster. From Bedford, customers can transfer easily onto frequent Thameslink services to London St Pancras International.
The diverted services will enable around 2,500 customers to make their full journey by train thanks to significant work from rail colleagues across the industry. These trains are in addition to other existing LNER services planned to operate on the day.
Colette Casey, Customer Experience Director at LNER, said: “Large-scale engineering work is vital for keeping the rail network running safely and reliably, as well as delivering major, positive change for the future. However, we appreciate the impact it may have on our customers and their plans.
“We want to make rail travel as easy and hassle-free as possible, including during engineering work. We hope that by running these special services, diverting away from the line closure, customers can still enjoy days out, family and sporting events, and much more.
“These services are different for us and our customers and journeys will take longer. We will have extra colleagues on hand to provide help and support as required and we would like to thank our customers, in advance, for their patience and understanding.”
Ricky Barsby, Head of Access Integration (ECDP) at Network Rail, said: “There has been excellent collaboration across the industry to enable these services to operate, providing a continuous on-rail opportunity for customers.
“The upcoming Bank Holiday work is carefully planned to avoid affecting customers at the busiest parts of the weekend. These new LNER services will provide a valuable option for those who need to make journeys on the Sunday.”
For the easiest booking process, customers are encouraged to book tickets for the diverted trains directly through the LNER website and app. Customers should search for journeys to or from London St Pancras International or London Terminals, adding a filter to ‘Change at: Bedford’.
If travel times align, the diverted LNER services should appear in resulting journey itineraries.
The two services are part of a trial and, if successful, it is hoped that further diverted trains may operate during future line closures.
At other points throughout the day, LNER services will operate on its usual route, starting and terminating at Peterborough. From there, in line with previous occasions, rail replacement services will link customers to Bedford for onward connections. Further information can be found here: https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/changes-to-train-times/
