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East Coast Main Line: Railway Signals

Asked by Ben Obese-JectyConservativeDepartment for TransportTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 23179

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has she made in delivering the European Train Control System on the East Coast Mainline between a) Peterborough and Huntingdon and b) Huntingdon and Stevenage.

Answered by Department for Transport

The East Coast Digital Programme is continuing the deployment of the European Train Control System (ETCS) on the southern section of the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Stoke Tunnel near Grantham. The programme has completed significant testing and infrastructure installation activities along sections of the route. Recent progress has included continued ETCS testing south of Peterborough, commissioning and integration of trackside equipment, fleet fitment, and driver training to support the transition to digital in-cab signalling.

A significant recent milestone was the successful commissioning of ETCS digital in-cab signalling between Welwyn and Hitchin on Monday 31 August, representing the first deployment of ETCS on the East Coast Main Line. Lessons learned from this deployment are being monitored and will inform future phases of delivery across the route.

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