Urgent repairs disrupt weekend train services with bus replacements to operate
Emergency railway repairs will take place this weekend after damaged wheel timbers have been causing “significant disruption”.
Network Rail has confirmed bus replacement services will be operating between Havant, Fareham and Portsmouth on Sunday, March 15 from 9am for urgent repairs.
During the closure, engineers will replace two damaged wheel timbers, which support the rails when going over bridges, along Portcreek viaduct - the railway that connects the mainland with Portsmouth on the Isle of Portsea.
Jenny Saunders, customer service director for Southern, said: “These damaged wooden blocks have been causing significant disruption to our passenger services and it’s essential they are replaced as soon as possible.
“I am sorry that, inevitably, this is going to upset some travel plans for our passengers on Sunday, so please be aware and check the changes at nationalrail.co.uk once they have been made, on Sunday morning.”
Replacement bus services will run between Fareham and Portsmouth Harbour as well as between Havant and Portsmouth Harbour, but there will not be a timetable so customers are being advised to speak to station staff for help with your journey.
Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, George Murrell, Wessex route renewals director, said: “We’d like to apologise to passengers in the Portsmouth area who are impacted by this short notice closure to the railway.
“We are making urgent repairs to the damaged wheel timbers so trains can run at normal speeds again. Please can you check before you travel and allow more time to complete your journeys.”
Services are expected to resume at the start of service on Monday, March 16.
The following changes to train services will be in place on Sunday:
- South Western Railway services for Portsmouth will be terminating at Havant or Fareham.
- Southern services for Portsmouth will be terminating at Chichester.
- Great Western Railway services for Portsmouth Harbour will be terminating at Southampton