For six weeks starting in late September, drivers using level crossings between Farncombe and Liss should be aware of upcoming road closures as engineers carry out critical upgrades on the railway.
Nine level crossings in south west Surrey and north east Hampshire will be upgraded to improve safety for road users and support a more reliable train service.
To complete these improvements, road closures will be carefully staggered to minimise disruption. The first crossing closure begins at the end of September, with the final works scheduled to finish by mid-November.
Details of these closures are below:
- Liss Common (27 September to 24 October)
- Kings Fernsden (4 October to 24 October)
- Princes Bridge (11 October to 25 October)
- Milford (18 October to 2 November)
- Petersfield (25 October to 2 November) – This will be a night-time closure from 10pm to 6am
- Liss (26 October to 2 November)
- Sheet (25 October to 2 November and 8 November to 9 November)
- Farncombe East (25 October to 2 November) – This will be a night-time closure from 10pm to 6am
- Farncombe West (25 October to 13 November)
To complete the final phase of upgrades to the signalling systems on the line connecting Portsmouth with London via Guildford, South Western Railway passengers are advised that buses will replace trains between Guildford and Havant between Saturday 25 October and Sunday 2 November.
The resignalling project between Farncombe and Petersfield has been ongoing since early 2022. These improvements have been delivered in phases and are designed to provide a safer and more reliable service for everyone travelling on this route.
To prepare for commissioning, there will be four weekend closures taking place on 27-28 September, 4-5 October, 11-12 October and 18-19 October. Passengers are asked to check before they travel as services will be revised.
During the 8 day-long closure, control of the signalling between Farncombe and Petersfield will be transferred to the Basingstoke Railway Operating Centre (ROC), with 90 new signals and 17 new signalling equipment buildings switched on and tested. This upgrade will see passengers benefit from more reliable train services.
Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, Mark Goodall, Wessex Route Director, said: “We appreciate that there is never a good time to close the railway and we’re sorry for the disruption this will cause. However, these closures are essential to complete the vital upgrade of the Portsmouth Direct line.
“By carrying out the work over the October half-term – when fewer people are travelling – we can minimise the disruption while delivering long-term benefits. Drivers in the area will need to plan ahead and take alternative routes when the roads around level crossings are closed.
“With rail replacement buses running during the signalling works and services revised for the four weekends before, we recommend checking before you travel and allowing extra time for your journey.”
Image credit: Network Rail
