the invention relates to changing the characteristics of a signalling link in a communications system comprising at least two signalling points and at least one signalling link through which signalling information is transmitted from a signalling point to an adjacent signalling point . in the method , the signalling traffic to be relayed is monitored at a signalling point and a modification procedure intended for modifying user connections is performed , in which a modification request message including an identifier value for identifying the object of modification is sent to an adjacent signalling point . in order for the system to be capable of flexibly adapting itself to a temporary increase in the signalling load , a set of identifier values that are used only for identifying the signalling links are allocated in advance to the signalling links between adjacent signalling points , and when the signalling traffic meets a given predetermined condition , said modification procedure is used for modifying a signalling link by inserting in the modification message to be sent an identifier value that belongs to said set .