Travel · Rail, Channel & ferries · 21 October 2026
Rail improvements start on East Coast Main Line in North Yorkshire
Network Rail has announced a major programme of railway improvements on the East Coast Main Line in North Yorkshire, scheduled to begin over the next two weekends. Buses will replace trains between Doncaster and Leeds, and between Leeds and Darlington, during the works.
Network Rail has confirmed that engineers will carry out significant works on the East Coast Main Line in North Yorkshire. The improvements are scheduled to take place over the two weekends of 24-25 October and 31 October-1 November. Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER, stated: "Engineers will be carrying out a major programme of improvements across North Yorkshire to make the East Coast Main Line more reliable for passengers and freight customers."
The works involve renewing and replacing points at Tollerton North, Colton Junction, and Northallerton. Track renewals will cover a total length of 2.6km between York, Colton Junction, Holgate Junction, and Skelton Junction. Additionally, 300 metres of drainage will be renewed near Chapman’s Bridge, near Shipton, to protect the railway from water-related issues.
Passengers should note that there will be no trains between York and Leeds from 24 October to 1 November, with replacement bus services running. Overhead line equipment is being upgraded between York and Colton Junction and across York station platforms. Vegetation management is also planned between Tollerton and Thirsk to improve safety and performance.
Platform infrastructure improvements include surface works on platform 2 at York station. The installation of a new road bridge and overhead line equipment is set to run from 24 October to Sunday 1 November. Travelers are advised to check their journey in advance with National Rail or their train operator.
Written by StreetOwl from Network Rail’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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