London Waterloo East and Charing Cross stations will close for 22 days from late July as part of a £20 million upgrade, causing significant disruption for commuters and travellers over the summer. The closures, planned by Network Rail and Southeastern Railway, will see trains diverted to other major London stations, and passengers are urged to check alternative routes.
Closure dates and weekend disruptions
The main closure period runs from Sunday, July 26 to Sunday, August 16. During this time, no trains will serve either station. Additionally, the stations will close on several weekends: Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19; Saturday and Sunday, August 22-23; and Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11. Network Rail warns that alternative service plans for these weekends may differ from the main closure period, and passengers should check before travelling.
Scope of the £20 million upgrade
The investment will replace approximately 1.2 miles of track and install 16 sets of switches and crossings on the 36-year-old line, which last saw track replacement in the early 1990s. Network Rail describes the current infrastructure as 'increasingly unreliable,' warning that without intervention, faults and delays would worsen. At Charing Cross, the country end of platforms will be rebuilt with new foundations and surfaces to ensure safety. Waterloo East will receive upgraded track drainage, and structural repairs will be carried out on the Hungerford Bridge, which carries trains over the Thames. Work will also improve the pedestrian link between Waterloo East and London Waterloo.
Passenger numbers and diversion plans
In 2024/25, London Charing Cross recorded 19.7 million journeys, up from 17.7 million the previous year, while Waterloo East saw 6.8 million entries and exits. By comparison, London Liverpool Street, the UK's busiest station, had 98 million journeys. During the closures, Southeastern services will be diverted to London Victoria, Cannon Street, Blackfriars, and London Bridge. Passengers can use their tickets on alternative routes, including London Underground and buses, at no extra cost. Network Rail also encourages cycling or walking for shorter journeys.
Scott Brightwell, train services director for Southeastern Railway, said: 'The £20 million investment we are delivering will see 1990s track and platforms upgraded to make journeys safer and more reliable, and Victorian-era structures strengthened to remain fit for the future.' He added that consolidating the work into a 22-day closure, supported by preparation and follow-up weekends, avoids the disruption of 60 weekend closures or four to five 9-day closures. The closure was planned for summer when passenger numbers are around 20 per cent lower and schools are closed, to help manage the impact on customers.
