The south end of York station is no longer a bottleneck for services on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) after engineers worked through Christmas to bring online new track and signalling systems.
Infrastructure work at Holgate to install an additional line and new junction was completed on time and on budget earlier this year.
Because the ‘programme to control the new signalling layout is extensive and complicated, the commissioning was held back to Christmas, when no trains were running’.
Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said:
“This scheme has been long-awaited in York and will bring real benefits to passengers. At a basic level it will mean less time spent waiting on board a train to get a platform outside York station.
“On a wider level this is one of a number of schemes we are delivering on the ECML by April 2014 which will allow faster services and more trains to run on the route.
“Until recently, investment on this scale would have meant extensive disruption to passengers through cancellations and rail replacement buses while the work was completed.
“We have worked closely with the train operators to minimise the disruption; including the decision to commission at Christmas when trains were not running.”
Previously trains travelling from Leeds to the north east and Scotland conflicted with other passenger services, often resulting in trains being forced to stand before they could access a platform.
This has now been resolved, creating greater freedom of operation and a better flow of trains into and out of the station.
