Rail work to disrupt Christmas Eve travel

News imageNetwork Rail A birds-eye view of train tracks and sheds at Doncaster station.Network Rail
Network Rail says the works are essential for improving the service

Trains will not stop at or pass through Doncaster station on Christmas Eve because of engineering work, Network Rail has said.

The work will begin in the early hours of 24 December and continue on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with services resuming on 27 December.

Network Rail said the upgrades would help improve reliability and had been scheduled for a day when fewer services operate.

John Grainger, joint head of performance at LNER and Network Rail East Coast, said: "We're sorry for the disruption these essential upgrades will cause."

He added: "We've planned the work to take place when fewer trains are running to minimise the impact as much as possible, and we encourage anyone travelling over the festive period to check their journey in advance with their train operator or National Rail."

Engineers will renew more than 640m (2,099ft) of track through Doncaster station while renewing switches and crossing units.

Passengers are advised to check before travelling and allow extra time if they need to use replacement bus or coach services.

A spokesperson for the train operators said: "We're working closely with Network Rail to help customers travel on Christmas Eve during this essential programme of railway upgrades at Doncaster.

"While there will be changes to services on this date, these improvements will help deliver a more reliable railway."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North