When is the East Coast rail line closing for electrification?

The East Coast rail line west of Edinburgh is closed from Saturday, January 17, 2026, until January 25, 2026.

Why is the East Coast line being shut down?

The closure is for essential electrification work, including bridge rebuilding and track adjustments, as part of a £340m project.

Which train route is affected by the closure west of Edinburgh?

The rail line between London and Aberdeen, specifically the section west of Edinburgh, is affected.

Home / Business and Economy / East Coast Line Shut: 9 Days of Rail Disruption Ahead

East Coast Line Shut: 9 Days of Rail Disruption Ahead

17 Jan

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Summary

East Coast rail line between London and Aberdeen faces a nine-day closure.
Electrification work necessitates the line's closure west of Edinburgh.
Overhead line installation requires bridge rebuilding and track adjustments.

East Coast Line Shut: 9 Days of Rail Disruption Ahead

The East Coast rail line, a vital corridor connecting London and Aberdeen, will experience a significant disruption for nine days, commencing Saturday, January 17, 2026. Network Rail has announced a complete closure of the line west of Edinburgh to facilitate crucial electrification work.

This extensive engineering effort is a key component of a £340 million project aimed at enhancing the line's environmental sustainability and service reliability. The work includes the rebuilding and raising of several bridges, alongside the lowering of tracks, to enable the installation of overhead electrical lines.

Passengers are strongly urged to seek alternative travel arrangements during this period. The work is scheduled to conclude on January 25, 2026, after which normal service is expected to resume, heralding an era of greener and more dependable rail travel for the region.