Major improvement work is to start at Newcastle Central Station.

Passengers can look forward to smoother, more reliable journeys through the city, as the scheme is set to help more trains run on time. Engineers will renew 750 metres of track and five sets of switches and crossings.

Work to renew the overhead line equipment, which powers some trains, will also be done over the weekend. Packaging this work together will mean less disruption for passengers in the future.

To allow teams to carry out the work safely, there will be major changes to LNER, Northern, TransPennine Express, CrossCountry and Lumo services throughout the weekend. Buses and coaches will replace some trains, while some are diverted via other routes.

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Sam MacDougall, East Coast Operations Director for Network Rail, said: "This weekend marks the start of a major upgrade for passengers travelling to and through Newcastle. This huge package of improvements will help us offer a more modern and reliable railway for passengers, now and in the future.

"Unfortunately, in order to deliver these benefits, there will be some significant changes to services between Newcastle and Scotland. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience, apologise for any inconvenience and remind people to check before they travel."

A spokesperson on behalf of train operators on the route said: "The work taking place at Newcastle is going to cause significant disruption for services, so we urge passengers to check their journey before travelling and follow the advice given.

"We are working hard to keep people moving, with rail replacement services and diversion routes, but this means your journey will take longer and may be busier than usual."

The significant project will continue between Saturday 1 and Monday 10 October inclusive.