Journeys between Newcastle and Scotland will be affected over three weekends while Network Rail carries out a major package of works across the North East. The £7.1 million programme runs on 19–20 September, 26–27 September, and 3–4 October, with some trains diverted and rail replacement services in operation between Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Engineering teams will renew track, refurbish switches and crossings, overhaul overhead line equipment and upgrade drainage to cut the risk of flooding and weather-related disruption. Passengers are urged to plan ahead, allow extra time and check before travelling.

The three-weekend programme includes:

- Installing more than 3.2km of new rail at Heaton North, Morpeth and Shortridge to deliver smoother, more dependable journeys.

- Replacing or refurbishing eight sets of points (switches and crossings) at Heaton North, Morpeth, Alnmouth and Tweedmouth to improve reliability.

- Renewing 1.5km of overhead line equipment to support more robust electric services.

- Upgrading track drainage at Scremerston and clearing over four miles of drainage systems to reduce flooding risk and delay.

- Vegetation management to keep signals clear and prevent contact with overhead power lines.

- Mandatory safety inspections of track, points and structures along the route.

Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER, said: "This is a major programme of work that will help deliver a more reliable railway between Newcastle and Scotland for passengers and freight customers. These three weekends of work will see us deliver a significant package of improvements – renewing track, points, drainage and overhead line equipment across the route.

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"By investing in this vital infrastructure now, we can improve reliability, reduce the risk of delays caused by flooding and failures, and help provide smoother, more reliable journeys for passengers and freight services.

"We know that engineering work causes disruption to passengers and we're sorry to anyone whose journey will be affected. We want to thank passengers and residents for their patience while this essential work takes place."

The project complements a separate £4.6 million investment between North Berwick and Dunbar in Scotland. Travellers should check the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner or their train operator for the latest information. Those using rail replacement buses are asked to carry only luggage they can manage comfortably and to consider transfer times between trains and coaches.

Operator plans at a glance:

- CrossCountry: Replacement buses will run between Newcastle and Edinburgh, calling at Morpeth, Alnmouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

- LNER: No trains can operate on the East Coast Main Line between Newcastle and Edinburgh via Berwick-upon-Tweed. An hourly service will divert via Carlisle with extended journey times. Rail replacement will serve Morpeth, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Reston and Dunbar towards Newcastle and Edinburgh.

- Lumo: A reduced timetable will operate between London King's Cross and Newcastle only.

- Northern: Buses replace trains between Northumberland Park and Ashington on Saturday 19, Sunday 20, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September (tickets valid at no extra cost on the Tyne & Wear Metro between Newcastle and Northumberland Park). Buses also replace trains between Newcastle and Morpeth/Chathill on all three weekends.

- ScotRail: On Saturdays 19 and 26 September, Edinburgh–Dunbar trains will not run. Replacement buses will operate between Drem and Dunbar via East Linton. Passengers can use ScotRail services to/from North Berwick between Edinburgh and Drem at no extra cost to connect with buses. Edinburgh–North Berwick services run as normal. On Sundays 20 and 27 September, ScotRail services are unaffected, as the operator does not run to/from Dunbar on Sundays.

- TransPennine Express: Replacement buses will operate between Newcastle and Edinburgh. On Saturdays 19 and 26, and Sundays 20 and 27 September, buses will run Edinburgh–Berwick (calling East Linton, Dunbar and Reston) and Berwick–Newcastle (calling Alnmouth, Morpeth and Cramlington). On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, buses will run Dunbar–Berwick (calling Reston) and Berwick–Newcastle (calling Alnmouth, Morpeth and Cramlington).

A spokesperson for the train operating companies said: "These improvements will help deliver a more reliable railway for our customers, and we're working hard as an industry to keep people moving over these weekends.

"Some trains can divert around the work, allowing customers to maintain direct rail connections. However, some stations will be served by rail replacement services. For those travelling on these weekends, we encourage you to check your journey before setting off and allow extra time to complete your journey."