Network Rail is advising passengers on the Portsmouth Direct Line to plan ahead this February half-term (14-22 February) as it carries out a series of essential works to maintain and improve the railway.
During the half-term holiday, engineers will be working on the railway between Petersfield and Havant, with additional impacts to services to and from Portsmouth Harbour and Guildford on alternative weekends.
Network Rail said the closure would allow it to deliver a coordinated programme of essential work, including:
Drainage improvements to help protect the railway from flooding.
Track renewals to maintain a smooth and reliable journey.
Signalling, power and telecoms work to support the safe operation of the route.
Follow-up activity after the commissioning of the Farncombe to Petersfield signalling upgrade.
How journeys will be affected.
Throughout the closure:
The railway will be closed between Petersfield and Havant from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February.
The closure extends between Havant and Portsmouth Harbour on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February only).
Services will not run between Guildford and Havant from Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February.
During these dates buses will replace trains between these stations and journey times may be longer than usual.
Further work planned
Following the completion of the February half-term works between Petersfield and Havant, Network Rail will return in spring to continue planned improvements to key parts of the railway in the Portsmouth area. Further details will follow in due course.
Network Rail said the works formed part of ongoing investment to keep the Portsmouth Direct Line safe and reliable for passengers.
Tom McNamee, Infrastructure Director for Network Rail Wessex and South Western Railway said: “We’re continuing to invest in maintaining and renewing the Portsmouth Direct Line to support a safer and more reliable railway. This work builds on improvements already delivered and forms part of a longer programme of activity across the route.
“We know there is never a good time to close the railway, and we’re sorry for the disruption this will cause. By carrying out this work during the school half-term, when passenger numbers are typically lower, we can complete a significant amount of essential work more efficiently and reduce the need for repeated closures later on.”
Passengers are advised to plan ahead and check the latest travel advice before travelling at: www.networkrail.co.uk/PortsmouthDirectHalfTermWorks
0113 2082620