Major engineering work at York Station to cause Christmas travel disruption
Travelling to and from York over the Christmas holiday will be disrupted by engineering work, it was announced today (Monday).
Network Rail says it will be working on track improvements in and around York railway station next month.
The work will take place from Christmas Eve until Monday 2 January.
This will also hit a key York car park.
One third of the spaces at Marygate car park will disappear from Monday, 19 December until Friday, 6 January to allow Network Rail to set up a work area.
Motorists are being asked to use Park & Ride instead. No disabled bays or electric charging points are affected.
The rail disruption comes on top of more strikes. The RMT union is set to walk out on:
- Tuesday 13 – Wednesday 14 December
- Friday 16 – Saturday 17 December
- Tuesday 3 – Wednesday 4 January
- Friday 6 – Saturday 7 January.
Costing £6 million, the rail upgrade will see 1.67 miles of track renewed, as well as nine sets of points.
Work will also take place to renew signalling equipment and to improve specialist heaters on the track, which help melt snow and ice and keep trains running reliably in the winter.
Network Rail says the work has been timed to minimise disruption to passengers, but “anybody planning to travel over the Christmas period is being strongly advised to check before they travel”.
Rail replacement services
Rail replacement services and diversions are set to be brought in.
Sam MacDougall, operations director for Network Rail’s East Coast route said:“The work at York is crucial to keep trains running reliably and smoothly for years to come.
“Our engineering work and the impact of planned industrial action will mean changes to some services, so passengers are urged to plan ahead and check before travelling.”
A spokesperson for the train operators said: “These key upgrades at York will mean changes to services over the festive period and passengers should check their journey before travelling via National Rail Enquires or their train operator.
“We are working hard to keep people moving this Christmas, with rail replacement services and diversion routes, but this means your journey will take longer and may be busier than usual.”
Travel information
These websites will have regular updates:
- National Rail Enquiries
- LNER: Live train journey planner
- TransPennine Express website
- CrossCountry Trains website
- Grand Central Rail website
- Northern Rail website.
For the latest on the disruption caused by the strikes, see here.