Major Rail Engineering Projects to Affect Surrey Services

Significant portions of Surrey’s rail network are scheduled for closure during the upcoming festive season due to extensive engineering projects. Network Rail announced that train services will undergo alterations on December 15, 2024, and from December 23, 2024, through January 5, 2025, inclusive, to facilitate railway upgrade work between Farnborough and Woking. Both Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) confirmed that services operating between London Waterloo and Southampton/Weymouth will be rerouted, resulting in an additional 45 minutes of travel time. While certain services will be diverted, substitute bus services will be provided in instances where trains are unable to run. According to Network Rail, the scope of the work encompasses the installation of new switches, crossings, and more than 100 new track panels, alongside the laying of over 5,000m (16,404ft) of new electrification cabling. Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, stated: “We’re urging passengers to plan ahead and check before they travel over the festive period while we carry out these essential improvements to the railway.” He added: “We know there is never a good time to close the railway. However, the festive period presents us with an opportune time to complete more complex upgrades.” Replacement bus services will operate in place of trains between Farnborough and Woking on December 23 and 24, and from December 27 to January 3. Additionally, on January 5, buses will substitute for trains on routes connecting Aldershot/Basingstoke/Guildford with Weybridge, and Andover/Winchester with Woking. There will be no train services operating within Surrey on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Travelers are advised to verify service information using the journey planner tool available on either the Network Rail or SWR website.