Third track north of York amongst projects paused by government

Plans for a third track north of York have been put on hold.

Network Rail has wanted to lay a third line – potentially called the York Relief Line – to allow Northern’s half-hourly Harrogate service to be kept off the Down Fast or Up Fast Lines of the East Coast Main Line (ECML).

This would free up capacity on the existing lines and improve performance of the Harrogate services.

The new line would have sat alongside the Down Fast and provide access to Platforms 8-11 and left the ECML at Skelton Junction.

It was part of the York Area Capacity and Performance project which has been paused by the government.

The Department for Transport said benefits would “only be realised as part of a wider package of investment on the ECML, which seeks to increase capacity between York and Newcastle”.

It also said the scheme was on hold until the wider strategy for the route (aligned with Northern Powerhouse Rail) can be developed further.

Plans for a third line emerged in October 2023 with the hope of being ready by May 2026.