Passengers travelling to and from London King's Cross should prepare for major disruption in November, as extensive engineering works will shut down key sections of the East Coast Main Line.
No trains will run in or out of King’s Cross station across one weekend, with widespread service cancellations and diversions affecting multiple operators including LNER, Great Northern, Thameslink, and Grand Central.
The works form part of a long-term infrastructure upgrade designed to improve reliability and capacity on one of the UK’s busiest rail routes—but in the short term, they will cause significant travel disruption across London and the southeast.
Here's what you need to know, and how to get around.
What’s happening?
Many routes starting from London King's Cross will undergo significant engineering work from Saturday, November 22, 2025, to Sunday, November 23, 2025.
Significant closures between King's Cross and Peterborough are among them, and they will have a broad effect on many rail operators including Thameslink, LNER, Grand Central, Great Northern, Hull Trains and Lumo.
The engineering works are part of the £1.2 billion East Coast Digital Programme and broader infrastructure improvements aimed at modernising the railway infrastructure, introducing digital signalling and increasing long-term capacity as well as improving safety and resilience.
Which services will be impacted?
Grand Central
No services will run on any Grand Central routes during the weekend.
Great Northern / Thameslink
All trains between Potters Bar and Royston/Peterborough, and between Hertford North and Stevenage are suspended throughout both days
A revised train service will run between:
Replacement buses will run between:
LNER
No trains to or from London King’s Cross will operate National Rail.
Passengers can take amended services running between Peterborough and the north: Doncaster, Leeds, Harrogate, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh; service also from Doncaster to Edinburgh.
Replacement buses will run between Bedford and Peterborough, offering connections to and from St Pancras International
Lumo
Reduced services will run only between Edinburgh and Newcastle/Peterborough.
Replacement buses will connect Peterborough and London King's Cross, providing onward links.
Navigating London that weekend
If you're traveling into London and need to reach alternative stations: King’s Cross St Pancras Underground Station remains operational and well-connected. You can use the Northern, Victoria, Piccadilly, Hammersmith & City, Circle, and Metropolitan lines, depending on your destination.
Reaching St Pancras International is usually just a short walk or tube ride from King’s Cross.
For connections to airports or other destinations, consider using London Underground or bus services, especially the buses or trains that connect to Liverpool Street.
If your journey involves London King’s Cross or destinations north of it, expect major changes.
Switch to alternative London terminals like St Pancras International (via Thameslink), Liverpool Street, or Euston, depending on your route.
Use rail replacement buses where provided—particularly between Bedford, Peterborough, and Potters Bar.
