Rail passengers are being warned of planned engineering works which are set to cause disruption to some services.

Further digital signalling work is due to take place during this month and next to the East Coast Main Line, affecting some Thameslink and Great Northern services.

Services affected will mainly be between Peterborough and London although a shuttle train service will run between Royston, Cambridge, Ely and Lynn on some dates – January 31, February 1 and February 7 and 8.

Network Rail has said: “Further digital signalling progress will be among various planned railway upgrades taking place over four consecutive weekends – affecting passenger journeys south of Peterborough towards London.

“The engineering work from January 31 will deliver a range of improvements – including construction and testing under the £1.4 billion East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP), which replaces traditional lineside signals with real‑time, continuous information delivered directly to the driver’s cab.”

The project is set to improve passenger journeys by introducing in-cab digital signalling and has been described by Network Rail as a ‘landmark scheme’.

Ricky Barsby, Network Rail’s head of access integration, ECDP, said: “A significant amount of vital work is taking place over these four weekends, including further steps to introduce digital signalling to the East Coast Main Line. This investment will mean a more reliable, greener and even safer railway for the millions of people who travel on this route each year.

“As well as the progress we’re making on digital signalling, we’re also taking the opportunity to complete a wide range of essential maintenance and renewal work. We appreciate that these upgrades will affect journeys, and we’re grateful to passengers for their patience while our teams carry out this essential work.”

A spokesperson for the train operating companies added: “We’ll be working hard to keep passengers moving while this essential work takes place. Rail replacement services and revised timetables will help people reach their destinations, and our teams will be on hand to support customers. We encourage everyone to check their journey before travelling.”

Passengers looking to travel from Peterborough to London during January 31 and throughout February are being advised to check with the relevant rail operator beforehand. For updates see www.thameslinkrailway.com and www.greatnorthernrail.com