Media centre

Thursday 14 Oct 2021

No trains between London Victoria and East Croydon this weekend (Saturday 16 to Sunday 17 October) due to important railway upgrades

Region & Route:

Southern: Sussex

| Southern

The project to modernise 1980s track and signalling on lines into London Victoria station will improve reliability and help even more passenger and freight trains arrive on time.

Passengers are advised to check before travelling on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 October when most Southern trains that run between Victoria and East Croydon will be diverted to London Bridge. Rail tickets will be accepted on London Underground services between London Victoria, London Bridge and Balham, and on London Buses between Balham and Streatham Hill.

Work on the project includes:

• Replacement of all signalling equipment in the Clapham and Balham areas, and lines into London Victoria
• Upgrade of track at key junctions surrounding Clapham and Balham with new, more reliable equipment
• A new and improved track layout installed between Clapham and Victoria stations, improving line speeds and reliability

The modern equipment will mean fewer faults and fewer delays for passengers travelling on lines into and out of Victoria. The modernisation programme will also mean changes to train services on the weekend of 27/28 November, over the Christmas and New Year period, from Saturday 25 December 2021 to Monday 3 January 2022, and on some weekends in early 2022, including Easter.

Katie Frost, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said:

"While much of the railway will be open, I urge passengers to plan ahead by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk. We are delivering a vital £160m upgrade to improve the reliability and performance of trains in South London and the wider region which will mean a better railway for travellers.

“These improvements will also allow an uplift in train services between Clapham Junction and London Victoria in the future and I'd like to thank passengers for their understanding.”

Train tickets will also be valid on South Western Railway services between Clapham Junction and London Waterloo. A limited rail replacement bus service will run between East Croydon and Clapham Junction for local journeys.

Chris Fowler, Customer Services Director for Southern, said:

“We’re working closely with Network Rail and other transport operators to make sure our customers can get where they need to be during this essential infrastructure modernisation programme, which is helping to improve the reliability of their train services. If you’re travelling to or through South London this weekend, please check routes and times in advance, and please continue to follow government advice about face coverings.” 

New turnback facilities at Clapham and at Balham, will help signallers keep more trains moving during planned engineering work and disruption on the railway.

Upgrades to track and signalling on other South London lines will follow:

• Tulse Hill to Peckham Rye and Crystal Palace – 2022 to 2024
• Battersea (Stewarts Lane) to Herne Hill, Nunhead and Ravensbourne – 2023 to 2025