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Tuesday 26 Aug 2025

Passengers thanked as train services resume in Surrey and Hampshire after Bank Holiday closures

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Network Rail and South Western Railway are thanking passengers for their patience over the August Bank Holiday weekend, while vital engineering work took place across Surrey and Hampshire.

The lines connecting Ascot, Guildford and Alton were closed throughout the weekend, while the line linking Surbiton and Effingham Junction also saw no passenger train services.

Over the course of the three-day weekend, engineers installed a new footbridge at Bentley station, whilst other teams upgraded the track's electrical supply at Ash Vale and cleared vegetation and litter between Farnham and Alton.

Another  team of engineers in the Cobham & Stoke D’Abernon area replaced 14 wheel timbers,  which support the tracks across a bridge. The newly installed ones are made from, a recycled material with a lifespan of 50 years, reducing the need for maintenance. Teams also removed trees and carried out surveys around the track in the Cobham area.

Further minor work was carried out near Effingham Junction, Horsley, London Road (Guildford), and within Bookham Tunnel.

The line between Barnes and Kew Bridge will remain closed until Monday 1 September as engineers continue to carry out upgrades to the line.

Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director at South Western Railway, said: "Over the bank holiday weekend, engineers have been busy completing important maintenance work and upgrades to the railway on parts of our network in Surrey and Hampshire, which will help keep services reliable in the years ahead. 

"We're grateful to customers for their patience while these were carried out."