If any of your summery shenanigans involve hopping on a train between the capital city and the, you’re going to want to hear this. Two major London railway stations will face a rather hefty 22-day closure, as a series of engineering works will be taking place during the summer holidays.
Which stations will be closed?
Charing Cross and Waterloo East are the two transport hubs that will be closed throughout this 22 day period. Trains will still be running but will either terminate at London Bridge or be diverted to the likes of Victoria, Cannon Street, or Blackfriars. Southeastern have warned passengers that journeys may take longer than usual whilst these diversions are in place, but tickets will be accepted on alternative rail services as well as Tubes and buses.
When will the station closures be taking place?
The station closures will be taking place from July 26 until August 16, coinciding with the first few weeks of the UK summer holidays. Southeastern Railways (who are responsible for the specific section of track in question) opted for a 22-day long closure during the summer holidays (when commuter numbers are generally lower than usual), deciding that a continuous period of work would be quicker and less troublesome than multiple weekend disruptions or four separate nine-day closures.
What work is being done?
Around 1800 metres of ‘life-expired’ track is set to be replaced during the three-week closure. This stretch of track, like me, dates back to the early 1990s and is becoming increasingly unreliable due to its age (something I can whole-heartedly relate to). So, it’s high tide that it got a little bit of TLC. Whilst the track is being replaced, drainage improvements will also be taking place at Waterloo East and the Hungerford Bridge will also undergo some structural repairs.
Londoners being diverted to London Bridge, Victoria, Cannon Street and Blackfriars can hop on the London Underground to reach Charing Cross or Waterloo. Or you can soak up the sunshine (and some rather glorious views) and opt for a nice walk instead.
Scott Brightwell, Director of Operations and Safety at Southeastern Railways, said: “We know closing Charing Cross and Waterloo East for 22 days is a significant change and we’re sorry for the disruption it will cause. This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly. We’ve looked long and hard at every possible option and although none of them are without impact, a single summer closure is the least disruptive and most efficient way to carry out this vital work.
“This section of track is more than 35 years old and has caused thousands of minutes of delays for customers in recent years. By replacing it now, and combining it with platform, drainage and bridge works, we’re tackling the root causes of disruption in one go. This means fewer closures in the future and more reliable railway for everyone who depends on these routes.
“We’re working closely with transport partners, local businesses and communities to keep people moving with ticket acceptance on alternative rail routes, London Underground and London buses. We are committed to ensuring customers are informed, supported and cared for throughout the 22-day closure.”