Portsmouth, Southampton, Petersfield, Chichester train disruption: South Western Railway and Southern Rail lines to be closed in October half-term

Train passengers have been warned about disruption that is heading this way during half-term.

Buses will replace trains in Portsmouth, Southampton, Petersfield, Chichester and Guildford as a long stretch of track is closed. Work is taking place in Havant to reduce the number of signal failures, while maintenance will also improve the reliability of the track between Liphook and Petersfield.

The work is from Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, November 1.

The work will see 61 new axle counters - equipment that tells signallers where trains are on the network - will be installed as part of the Havant resignalling programme, alongside safety upgrades.

Following on from the Farncombe to Petersfield signalling upgrade which took place last year, engineers will install new rails between Liphook and Petersfield, while upgrading signalling and cabling systems.

Both projects are part of a £250m plan by South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex to replace ageing track and signalling. The train lines have also been closed during the February and May half-terms this year.

Elsewhere, 183 metres of track will be renewed in the Fishbourne area. Rails, sleepers and ballast will be replaced to provide smoother and more comfortable journeys on Southern’s West Coastway route.

Buses will replace trains in the Chichester, Guildford, Havant, Petersfield, Portsmouth and Southampton areas, and customers are being asked to plan their journeys carefully.

George Murrell, renewals director for South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, said: “Reliable trains need reliable tracks and signals, which is why we’re investing in renewing and upgrading signalling systems on this key route. This is an important step as we continue to improve our railway and deliver the reliable service our customers deserve.

“We’ve tried to minimise the impact by completing this work over the half-term period when, typically, fewer people travel. If you are travelling over the half-term period, please make sure you plan ahead and allow plenty of time to complete your journey. “

Jenny Saunders, customer service director for Southern, said: “Vital resignalling work designed to give our passengers better, more reliable services, regrettably means anyone travelling west of Chichester this October half-term will have to use a rail replacement bus.

“I know that for some people this will mean longer journeys and I’m sorry for the impact this will have. Please check your options and plan ahead now using our online journey planner at southernrailway.com.”

When buses will replace trains in and around Portsmouth at half-term

Saturday 24 October

Two buses per hour will replace Southern services between Havant and Southampton Central.

Sunday 25 October

• SWR services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour will finish their journeys at Guildford.
• Two fast buses per hour will run between Guildford, Haslemere and Petersfield.
• A stopping bus will also run hourly between Guildford and Petersfield calling at Farncombe, Godalming, Milford, Witley, Haslemere, Liphook and Liss.
• Buses will also replace Southern trains between Havant and Southampton Central.

Monday 26 – Friday 30 October

• SWR services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour will finish their journeys at Petersfield.
• An hourly fast bus will run between Havant, Fratton and Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour.
• An hourly stopping bus will run between Petersfield and Portsmouth Harbour calling at Rowlands Castle, Havant, Bedhampton, Hilsea, Fratton and Portsmouth & Southsea.
• Southern services will finish their journeys at Chichester, with replacement buses running between Chichester and Portsmouth Harbour and between Chichester and Southampton Central.

Saturday 31 October

• Train services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth will finish their journeys at Haslemere.
• Two fast buses per hour will run between Haslemere, Petersfield and Havant.
• An hourly stopping bus will run between Haslemere and Havant calling at Liphook, Liss, Petersfield and Rowlands Castle.

Sunday 1 November

• SWR services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour will finish their journeys at Guildford.
• Two fast buses an hour will run between Haslemere, Petersfield and Havant.
• An hourly bus will run between Guildford, Farncombe, Godalming and Haslemere.
• An hourly stopping bus will also run between Guildford and Havant calling at Farncombe, Godalming, Milford, Witley, Haslemere, Liphook, Liss, Petersfield and Rowlands Castle.

Havant railway bridge

The long-awaited project to replace the 79-year-old bridge at Havant railway station has now started. The £12.8m plan is due to take a year to complete. There is a 10-minute diversion on foot while the bridge is closed.