Engineering works are set to disrupt train travel over the festive period, writes Lilian Mulholland…
Passengers should make their Christmas travel plans now to avoid engineering work disruptions over the holidays, says Network Rail.
Engineering work will take place across South London and Sussex to deliver vital improvements for a more reliable railway.
Works include replacing a conductor rail to power trains at East Croydon and heavy maintenance on vital rail junctions at Gatwick and Three Bridges.
Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink, said: “With Christmas just around the corner, I would like to urge all our passengers to please check online now and plan ahead for the changes being made to our services during the festive season.”
From Saturday 27 December until Wednesday 31 December, no Thameslink trains will run between London Blackfriars and Bellingham, and London Blackfriars and Sutton via Mitcham Junction or Wimbledon. Replacement bus services will run between London Bridge and Bromley South via Bellingham, and rail tickets will be valid for travel on local bus, tram, and underground services.
South Bermondsey station will be closed as platforms are rebuilt from Saturday 27 December to Sunday 4 January. No Southern trains will call at the station during this period and passengers are advised to use local bus services instead.
Buses will replace Southern trains between London Bridge and Tulse Hill via South Bermondsey and Peckham Rye from Thursday 1 January to Sunday 4 January. Beckenham Junction services will run only between Tulse Hill and Beckenham Junction on Saturday and Sunday of that weekend.
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Engineering work means buses will replace trains between Purley and East Grinstead and between Oxted and Uckfield on Sunday 4 January. Services between London Victoria and Reigate will only run between Redfield and Reigate. No Thameslink trains will run between London Blackfriars and Sutton or Wimbledon on this date.
The works have been scheduled for the quietest time of the year to minimise disruption to passengers.
Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex route director, Network Rail’s southern region, said: “The festive period gives us a rare chance to make the most of lower passenger numbers to carry out vital work on the railway.
“The areas of track and infrastructure being worked on this Christmas are normally some of the busiest sections of railway in the country, so we will make the most of this window of opportunity to work while the railway is closed, as we aim to give passengers safer and more reliable journeys.
“I would like to thank passengers for their patience while these works are carried out and I would also like to thank our teams, who will be working hard throughout the festive period to deliver these railway improvements”.
Featured image – Govia Thameslink Railway.
