The work – which forms part of the £1.2Bn East Coast Upgrade – allows trains easier access into and out of the platforms and was completed on Monday. Over 6km of new track was laid, 30 new sets of points installed and 50 new signals introduced.

“To complete such an ambitious scheme that will bring so many important benefits to passengers, while at the same time working hard to keep disruption to a minimum, is testament to the dedication and teamwork of the many different professionals who have worked on it,” said Network Rail’s managing director for its eastern region Rob McIntosh.

Transport Minister Chris Heaton-Harris added: “This is an amazing achievement and a huge step in the extensive £1.2Bn upgrade of the East Coast Main Line, which will better connect the country north to south."

Elsewhere on the East Coast route, engineers have been continuing work on a new tunnel and 3km of new line at Werrington near Peterborough so that slower moving freight trains will no longer cut across the East Coast Main Line. The new tunnel is due to open in the autumn.

In other rail news, High Speed 2 has begun its search for a contractor to build Birmingham Interchange station. A tender shortlist for the £370M contract will be announced later this year and the contract is to be awarded in 2022.

(Photograph: Network Rail)

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