The lines through Darlington station will be closed over the weekend of 11 and 12 October, to allow the latest stage in the £140 million project to enlarge the station.

Darlington is gaining two additional platforms, and during the 48-hour possession next month new signalling will be tested, following the completion of a power supply upgrade.

The closure of a major East Coast Main Line station will inevitably disrupt train services. LNER trains will be reduced and diverted, CrossCountry, Northern and TransPennine Express trains will be replaced by buses, while Lumo will run only between Newcastle and Edinburgh.

The wider Darlington scheme includes a new eastern concourse to serve the additional platforms and also a footbridge connecting this concourse with the Victorian station, but the date for completion has been put back from this December to spring 2026. Network Rail said the delay had been caused by additional work to make the footbridge weather proof.

Principal programme sponsor Luke Durston said the work on signalling was a ‘key step’ towards opening the additional platforms.

He continued: ‘While we had originally aimed to complete the overall project by the end of 2025, additional design requirements – particularly for the complex footbridge structure – mean we’re now targeting spring 2026. We’re grateful to passengers, residents, and our partners for their continued patience and support.’

What do you think? Click here to let us know.