Millions of train passengers are being warned to plan ahead this summer as two major London railway stations prepare to shut for more than three weeks. London Charing Cross and Waterloo East will both close for 22 days while Network Rail carries out a £20 million improvement programme.
Closure Dates and Service Changes
The closure will begin on Sunday, July 26, and continue until Sunday, August 16, with further weekend disruption on July 18-19, August 22-23, and October 10-11 for preparation and follow-up work. During the closure, no Southeastern trains will call at either Charing Cross or Waterloo East.
Services that would normally use Charing Cross will be diverted to London Victoria, London Cannon Street, and London Blackfriars, while some trains will start or finish at London Bridge. Passengers are urged to check before they travel, as first and last train times will also change.
Scope of Works
The largest part of the investment involves replacing 1,800 metres of track and 16 sets of switches and crossings between Charing Cross and Waterloo East. The existing track, in use since the early 1990s, has become increasingly unreliable. Network Rail says recent faults have caused more than 21,000 minutes (around 350 hours) of delays for passengers, and without the work, disruption would continue to worsen.
Engineers will also rebuild the country end of the platforms at Charing Cross with new foundations and surfaces after parts began to subside and deteriorate. Drainage at Waterloo East will be upgraded to improve track quality and provide smoother journeys.
Hungerford Bridge Repairs
The closure will allow repairs to the 175-year-old Hungerford Bridge, which carries trains across the River Thames, along with work on the pedestrian bridge linking Waterloo East and London Waterloo. Network Rail says the improvements will help keep both structures safe for decades.
Alternative Transport Options
Passengers can use alternative transport during the closure. Southeastern tickets will be accepted on parts of the London Underground, including the Jubilee line between London Bridge and Waterloo, and the Circle and District lines between Victoria, Blackfriars or Cannon Street and Embankment. Ticket holders can also travel on Thameslink services between Elephant & Castle, London Bridge and St Pancras International, as well as Southern services serving London Bridge and Victoria.
Several London bus routes will accept paper rail tickets, and passengers using Contactless or Oyster on alternative routes may claim a refund if overcharged. Those making shorter journeys are encouraged to walk or cycle. Network Rail advises passengers to check their journey before travelling throughout the works programme.
