Train passengers will face 22 days of disruption this summer when two major London stations undergo a £20m railway renovation, Network Rail has warned. Charing Cross and Waterloo East are closing to the public from Sunday, July 26 to Sunday, August 16, affecting journeys across the capital.
Additionally, no trains will call at either stop on various dates throughout late May, June, August, and October. Engineers will replace nearly two kilometres of 36-year-old track, rebuild sections of platform at Charing Cross, and upgrade track drainage systems. Crews will also carry out structural repairs to both the Waterloo East to Waterloo pedestrian link bridge and the Hungerford Bridge, which takes the railway over the River Thames to Charing Cross. The investment will modernise infrastructure on one of the most important sections of the South Eastern Railway network and help deliver "an even safer and more reliable railway," Network Rail said.
Alternative Routes and Advice
Southeastern services that normally run into Charing Cross will be diverted to either Victoria, Cannon Street, or Blackfriars, or terminate at London Bridge. Scott Brightwell, train services director at South Eastern 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. By consolidating the work into a 22-day closure, supported by preparation and follow-up weekends, we can complete the work more quickly and with less disruption overall than the alternative options of 60 weekend closures or four to five 9-day closures. We have planned the closure for the summer, when passenger numbers are around 20 per cent lower and schools are closed, to help manage the impact on customers." Passengers can use their tickets on alternative rail routes, London Underground, and London Buses at no extra cost.
Full List of Closure Dates
- Sunday, May 31
- Sunday, June 7
- Saturday, July 18 – Sunday, July 19
- Sunday, July 26 – Sunday, August 16
- Saturday, August 22 – Sunday, August 23
- Saturday, October 10 – Sunday, October 11
Key Information for Passengers by Line
Woolwich Line
Trains on the Woolwich line will continue to run into Cannon Street, with some running at revised times, particularly during the morning peak. A small number of peak-time trains will be retimed, cancelled, or diverted via Blackheath instead of Greenwich.
Bexleyheath Line
Trains will continue to run between Cannon Street and Barnehurst, and between Victoria and Gravesend, with some changes to timings. Additional Cannon Street trains will run in the morning peak.
Sidcup Line
Trains between Gravesend and central London that normally skip Lewisham will start/terminate at London Bridge and run via Lewisham instead. Cannon Street circular trains will continue with amended times, with additional Cannon Street to Dartford trains operating when circular trains are not running.
Hayes Line
Trains that normally run between Hayes and Charing Cross will start/terminate at London Bridge or run to London Blackfriars. Trains scheduled to skip Lewisham will instead be diverted via Lewisham, run fast to Elephant & Castle, and terminate at Blackfriars. Trains routed via Lewisham will terminate at London Bridge. In the opposite direction, Hayes trains will start from either London Bridge or Blackfriars, with some running fast between Elephant & Castle and Lewisham and continuing to Hayes.
Grove Park Line
Trains that usually run between Charing Cross and Orpington or Sevenoaks will instead start/terminate at London Bridge, with some trains diverted to run via Lewisham. Cannon Street trains to/from Orpington will continue, but a small number of additional peak-time trains will not operate.
Bromley South Line
Victoria to Orpington trains will run every 30 minutes instead of every 15 minutes. Peak-time trains between Blackfriars and Beckenham Junction will continue to operate, but at revised times.
Sole Street Line
Victoria trains will run with some services retimed. Cannon Street peak trains will operate with some services running at different times.
Maidstone East Line
Trains that normally run to/from Charing Cross will operate to/from London Victoria instead, calling additionally at Bromley South. Other Victoria trains on the route will continue to run but at different times.
Paddock Wood & Hastings Lines
Trains between Charing Cross and Ramsgate, Dover, Tunbridge Wells, and Hastings will start/terminate at London Bridge. Some Tunbridge Wells trains will operate to/from Victoria, with additional hourly trains running between peak periods. Peak-only additional trains to Charing Cross will not operate.
Medway Valley & Sheerness Line
All trains on the Medway Valley and Sheerness branch lines will operate as normal.
Highspeed via Ashford & Gravesend
All Highspeed trains will operate as normal.
