WORK to extend a platform at Northallerton station so that it can accommodate new trains is due to start on Sunday.

The £900,000 scheme is part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan and the 20m extension will allow all carriages of Virgin’s new Azuma trains to fit into the station.

The new trains are due to be introduced on the East Coast Main Line in 2018.

The upgrade is expected to be completed on August 22 and there will be no disruption to passenger services whilst the work takes place.

There will be an overnight closure of Boroughbridge Road from 8pm on Saturday, March 25 until 6am the following day and a sign-posted diversion route will be in place.

The project follows another platform extension which is currently underway at Durham station.

Aidan Talbott, of Network Rail, said: “The work we are carrying out at Northallerton station is an important part of our Railway Upgrade Plan and will allow all carriages of the new Azuma trains to fit into the station.

“It is a vital piece of enhancement work to the railway and will bring even greater benefits for passengers travelling on the East Coast Main Line. The work is part of a wider project of improvements and we have recently begun a similar project at Durham station.

“I’d like to thank passengers and road users for their patience whilst this work is carried out.”

A spokesperson for Virgin Trains said: “Our Virgin Azuma trains, which will be introduced from next year, will help us to transform the customer experience, creating more capacity, and faster and more comfortable journeys on our east coast route.

“It’s great to see this work getting underway that will pave the way for introducing of the Azuma fleet.”