In 10 days time, buses will replace trains between Guildford and Havant as Network Rail engineers complete the final stage of the Portsmouth Direct signalling upgrade between Farncombe and Petersfield.
Following the upgrade, signalling control will be transferred to the Basingstoke Railway Operating Centre (ROC) to enable faster and more efficient train management. During the line closure, testing will begin on the 90 new signals and 17 new signalling equipment buildings that have been installed and constructed.
Between September and November, nine level crossings will be upgraded to make them safer for all road users, with new technology including Obstacle Detection (OD) and CCTV control being installed. CCTV means a signaller can check the crossing and lower the barriers when it is safe.
Changes to train services
Ahead of the new signals being commissioned, there will be a line closure between Guildford and Havant this weekend, before a nine-day line closure, starting Saturday 25 October. The dates of these closures are:
- Saturday 18 October to Sunday 19 October
- Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November (9 day closure)
Passengers should check before they travel during these periods as services will be revised, taking longer than normal. Once this upgrade has been completed, passengers will benefit from more reliable railway services.
Road closures
Drivers using level crossings between Farncombe and Liss should be aware of ongoing and upcoming road closures as engineers carry out critical upgrades at nine level crossings to improve safety for road users and support a more efficient train service.
The improvements include:
- Upgrading automatic half-barrier crossings to modern barriers with OD to improve safety.
- Converting some crossings so they are monitored by CCTV or obstacle detection systems.
- Updating footpath crossings with miniature stop lights for added safety.
To complete these improvements with as little disruption as possible, road closures will be carefully staggered across a six-week period.
Until the level crossings are fully operational, the safety of road and rail users will be ensured by dedicated staff on site 24/7.
Details of the closures are below:
- Liss Common (Saturday 27 September to Monday 24 October)
- Kings Fernsden (Saturday 4 October to Monday 24 October)
- Princes Bridge (Saturday 11 October to Tuesday 25 October)
- Milford (Saturday 18 October to Sunday 2 November)
- Petersfield (Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November) – Night-time closure (10pm to 6am)
- Liss (Sunday 26 October to Sunday 2 November)
- Sheet (Saturday 25 October to 2 November and Saturday 8 November to Sunday 9 November)
- Farncombe East (Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November) – Night-time closure (10pm to 6am)
- Farncombe West (Saturday 25 October to Thursday 13 November)
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 majority of work during the autumn half-term – when fewer people travel – we can minimise disruption while delivering long-term benefits.
“Drivers in the area will need to plan ahead and will need to take alternative routes when the roads around level crossings are closed.”
Image credit: Network Rail
