The UK government is to spend £1 billion to replace “outdated” rail transport infrastructure on one of the country’s busiest rail routes.
The Department for Transport announced the funding of new digital signalling technology along the East Coast Main Line, as part of its plans to create a “more reliable and sustainable rail network”.
The East Coast Digital Programme will be rolled out across the southern section of the line from London’s King’s Cross station to Lincolnshire in a move the government said would mean “faster, safer and more regular trains for millions of people”.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps said: “This £1 billion investment will allow us to replace unreliable Victorian infrastructure with cutting-edge technology which will mean fewer delays and more regular services for millions of passengers.”
The government added that the new technology would create a “more responsive, more resilient railway”, which could recover more quickly when journeys are disrupted.
Toufic Machnouk, director of industry partnership for digital railway, at Network Rail, added: “We are delighted to have been given the go ahead for this ground-breaking programme that will transform the capability and resilience of the East Coast Main Line and be a key enabler for the wider network.”
The programme will also help the government towards its net zero goal by cutting carbon emissions by 55,000 tonnes, which is the equivalent of more than 65,000 one-way flights from London to New York.
David Horne, managing director of London North Eastern Railway (LNER), said: “Digital signalling will allow the full potential of our Azuma fleet technology to be realised and means our customers will benefit from even more reliable and sustainable journeys in the future.”