Two major London stations closing for three weeks from tomorrow

Two national rail stations in London are set to close for three weeks from tomorrow as Southeastern carries out £20,000,000 worth of upgrades.

Waterloo East and Charing Cross will be closed for a total of 22 days while upgrade works are carried out, causing travel disruption for much of the summer.

During the closure, trains will not serve either station, and services will be diverted to other stations across London.

Want to find out why the stations are closing and how this will affect your travel plans? Keep reading!

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class=”wp-block-heading”>When are Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations closed?

The two stations will face a main closure over the school summer holidays, starting from tomorrow (Sunday, July 26) until Sunday, August 16.

However, they will also shut on two weekends after the 22-day closure, between August 22 and August 23 and then between October 10 and October 11.

Network Rail has warned that the alternative service plans for the station closures on the above weekends may be different from the main 22-day closure, and it has urged everyone to check before travelling.

Why are the two stations closing?

The station closures are part of a £20million railway upgrade being carried out by Southeastern Railway.

Network Rail has said that the closure is the ‘most efficient’ and ‘least disruptive’ way to complete the work, avoiding 60 weekend closures over 14 months and four separate nine-day closures over a 10 to 16-month period.

As part of the upgrade, engineers will install around 1,800 meters of new tracks as well as 16 sets of switches and crossings on the heavily used 36-year-old line, which can only be done when trains are not running.

Track drainage will also be upgraded at Waterloo East to ‘maintain track quality and a smooth ride’ at full line speed.

According to Network Rail, the current tracks, which were last replaced in the early 1990s, are ‘increasingly unreliable’ and, if untreated, would ultimately lead to more faults and delays for commuters.

The country end of the platforms at Charing Cross, whose concrete surfaces are deteriorating, will be rebuilt with new foundations and surfaces to ‘keep them safe’ and open for passengers.

Network Rail has also confirmed that structural repairs will be carried out on the 175-year-old Hungerford Bridge, which takes trains over the Thames. Work will also be carried out on the pedestrian link between Waterloo East and London Waterloo stations.

Where will trains be diverted to?

As a result of the station closures, no trains will call at London Charing Cross or Waterloo East. Instead, Southeastern services will be diverted to the following stations:

• London Victoria
• Cannon Street
• Blackfriars
• London Bridge

Southeastern has warned passengers to expect diversions, amended timings, and cancellations on all routes, but said there will be additional trains running on some lines during peak periods.

First and last trains will run at different times throughout the closure, and travellers have been advised to check them to avoid missing journeys.

Passengers can use their tickets on alternative routes, including the London Underground and buses, at no extra cost.

Tickets can also be used on Thameslink services between Elephant and Castle, London Bridge, and St Pancras International, as well as on Southern services to and from London Bridge and Victoria.

Network Rail has also encouraged those who can cycle or walk to complete shorter journeys to do so.

Scott Brightwell, the train services director on the Southeastern Railway, said: ‘The £20 million investment we are delivering will see 1990s track and platforms upgraded to make journeys safer and more reliable, and Victorian-era structures strengthened to remain fit for the future.

‘By consolidating the work into a 22‑day closure, supported by preparation and follow‑up weekends, we can complete the work more quickly and with less disruption overall than the alternative options of 60 weekend closures or four to five 9-day closures.’

He added: ‘We have planned the closure for the summer, when passenger numbers are around 20 per cent lower and schools are closed, to help manage the impact on customers.’

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