PASSENGERS on the East Coast Main Line are facing further disruption as a result of major engineering work in the wake of the Hatfield crash.

Railtrack is to replace more than seven miles of track between Durham and Darlington after tests found it was in danger of cracking.

The move means diversionary routes will be in operation while the work is being carried out, from 11pm tomorrow to 4pm on Sunday.

GNER will run an hourly service between Darlington and London King's Cross, while passengers between York and Newcastle will have the option of a diesel-hauled hourly shuttle or buses calling at Darlington and Durham.

Virgin Trains will operate a bus service between York and Newcastle and a shuttle between York and Birmingham.

Northern Spirit trains to Thirsk will be served by the York to Middlesbrough route, to Northallerton by the GNER trains and to Chester-le-Street by a two-hourly shuttle between Newcastle and Durham.

Railtrack will replace the northbound line at Ferryhill and both north and southbound at Aycliffe and Preston Manor, near Aycliffe.

Details are available from the National Rail Enquiry Service on (08457) 484950