During the October school holidays, Network Rail engineers carrying out a variety of improvements across the South Western Railway network, meaning that buses will replace trains in some places.
While there is never a perfect time to close the railway, school holidays are typically much quieter with fewer people travelling, giving engineers an ideal window to carry out major upgrades. A single, week-long closure enables more work to be completed without the need for repeated weekend closures and helping deliver reliability improvements more quickly and efficiently.
Although the majority of the South Western Railway network is open as usual, passengers travelling to and from Portsmouth, Reading and Windsor will see changes to their journeys.
Guildford to Havant
Buses will replace trains between Guildford and Havant between Saturday 25 October and Sunday 2 November, while we complete the final phase of upgrades to the Portsmouth Direct line.
The major resignalling upgrade between Farncombe and Petersfield, which started in early 2022, will deliver safer and more reliable services for everyone travelling on this key route.
Reading to Wokingham
Passengers travelling between Reading and Wokingham should plan ahead, as vital track renewal work will see buses replace trains for three days between Saturday 25 and Monday 27 October 2025.
The 72-hour closure will allow Network Rail engineers to carry out essential work at a junction to the east of Reading station. Teams will work around the clock to replace sections of track, using a specialist Kirow crane to lift the new junction into position.
- South Western Railway services towards London Waterloo, via Ascot, Staines and Twickenham, will start and finish at Wokingham.
- Great Western Railway services towards Gatwick Airport, via Farnborough, Guildford and Dorking, will also start and terminate at Wokingham.
Staines to Windsor
Passengers travelling between Staines and Windsor should also plan ahead as essential track renewal work will see buses replacing trains between 25 October and 31 October 2025.
The six-mile stretch of track linking the two towns needs renewing and teams will be making improvements to the railway to ensure a smoother and more reliable service for passengers.
Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, Mark Goodall, Wessex Route Director, said: “We’re very sorry for the disruption to journeys at the end of October. We know there’s never a convenient time to close the railway, however passenger numbers are typically lower during the half-term week, making it the least disruptive time to carry out this critical work.
“Our teams will be working around the clock to deliver these upgrades, and once complete, passengers will benefit from smoother, more reliable journeys.
“As buses will be replacing trains during all these upgrades, we recommend checking your journey before you travel and allowing extra time.”
Alex Hills, GWR Station Manager at Reading, said: “This improvement work supports our commitment to improve rail services for Gatwick, supporting the airport and sustainable travel choices. During this three-day period, GWR trains will operate to an amended timetable – running between Wokingham and Redhill or Gatwick Airport. Road transport will be provided for customers between Wokingham and Reading – please do check before you travel as road journeys will take a little longer.”
Replacement bus services will be in operation throughout the closure, and journey planners will be updated 12 weeks in advance. Passengers are advised to check before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with their train operator.
Image credit: Network Rail
