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Monday 19 Apr 2021

Passengers reminded to check before travelling during Early May bank holiday rail improvement works

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

• Following the successful delivery of rail upgrades at Easter, Network Rail will be at work from 1-4 May 2021, when engineers will be improving the railway to deliver real improvements for passengers and freight users.
• People should continue to follow Government guidance around the use of public transport and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible

The works include upgrading switches and crossings at Hampton Court Junction near Surbiton and Wilton Junction near Salisbury – these are moveable sections of track that guide trains from one track to another and allow them to cross paths. Engineers will use machinery to install new track and ballast – the stones beneath the track that give support and these measures help to minimise disruption to train services.

At Ascot, Brentford and Kew Bridge stations, work continues on the Feltham-Wokingham Resignalling Programme, a long-term project to upgrade equipment controlled by Wokingham Signal Box and the Feltham Area Signalling Centre. Preparation for new signalling equipment will take place, following on from the successful commissioning of a new system for the lines around Norbiton, Richmond and Twickenham over Easter. 

These upgrades will help to reduce faults which cause delays for passengers, increasing reliability and providing better journeys. The modern technology also supports a more sustainable and efficient railway.

Finally, Bookham station between Leatherhead and Guildford will receive a makeover with new windows and an upgraded roof. A waiting room will also be created to enhance the passenger experience while repairs to the footbridge will allow station users to continue using it safely.

Work between Salisbury and Warminster from Friday 1 to Monday 3 May

• Exeter St Davids services start and terminate at Salisbury
• Train services to Bristol Temple Meads and Yeovil Pen Mill via Westbury will not run from Salisbury
• Buses replace South Western Railway (SWR) services between Salisbury and Gillingham
• Buses replace Great Western Railway (GWR) services between Salisbury and Warminster

Work between Hampton Court and Guildford via Cobham & Stoke D’Abernon on Sunday 2 and Monday 3 May

• Buses replace SWR services between Surbiton and Leatherhead and Guildford

Work between Ascot and Aldershot from Sunday 2 to Tuesday 4 May

• Waterloo to Reading services start and terminate at Virginia Water
• Buses replace SWR services between Virginia Water and Reading and between Ascot and Aldershot

Work between Barnes and Feltham via Hounslow from Sunday 2 to Tuesday 4 May

• SWR services divert via Richmond
• Buses replace SWR services between Barnes and Feltham via Hounslow

Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said:

“We’re working to deliver a more reliable railway and over the May bank holidays, railway engineers will be out on the track to improve journeys for passengers.

“We’re encouraging passengers to check before they travel and thank those using the railway or living close by for their patience while we carry out these upgrades.”

Alan Penlington, SWR’s customer experience director, said: “I realise these works will mean disruption for our customers; however, replacement buses will be in operation during the closures. These works are vital to improving the performance and reliability of the railway for years to come and I’d like to thank customers for their patience.”