Major 5 day improvements project between Southampton and Bournemouth begins on Monday the 1st of November with passengers reminded to plan journeys ahead

The first day of the long-term improvements project will see the line between Southampton to Bournemouth closed, with the remaining days seeing between Brockenhurst to Bournemouth closed.

Engineering will be working right around the clock to bring a more reliable infrastructure which will see speed restrictions removed and will provide better journey times for passengers.

The Brockenhurst teams will be installing brand new high-voltage electrical equipment, and cables which will improve power supply and track circuits which tell signallers where trains are on the network, will also be replaced.

This work is part of Network Rails Wessex route programme of improvements to power supplies for both track and signalling.

The Totton and Ashurst teams will be undertaking the vital maintenance of two bridges which cross the Avon and Stour rivers, concrete sleepers which support the track will also be replaced between Christchurch and Pokesdown for Boscombe.

The replacement of four track circuits and the removal of ‘wet beds’ which are areas of the track which have become saturated with rainwater will also be carried out in the Totton and Ashurst areas.

SWR and CrossCountry Passengers are being reminded to check their journeys before travelling, as a number of trains will be replaced by rail replacement buses.

Monday the 1st of November:

Rail replacements buses will replace SWR and Cross Country trains between Southampton Central and Bournemouth in both directions as follows:

• 2 Buses per hour Southampton Central to Bournemouth – direct service
• 2 Buses per hour Southampton Central to Bournemouth – calling at Totton, Ashurst, Brockenhurst, Sway, New Milton, Hinton Admiral, Christchurch and Pokesdown for Boscombe
• 2 Buses per hour Southampton Airport Parkway to Bournemouth – direct service
• 2 Buses per hour Brockenhurst to Lymington Pier – calling at Lymington Town

Tuesday the 2nd to Friday the 5th of November:

The line between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth will be closed. 

Buses will replace South Western Railway (SWR) and CrossCountry trains between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth, in both directions, as follows:

• 2 Buses per hour Southampton Central to Bournemouth – direct service
• 2 Buses per hour Brockenhurst to Bournemouth – calling at Sway, New Milton, Hinton Admiral, Christchurch and Pokesdown
• 2 Buses per hour Southampton Airport Parkway to Bournemouth – direct service

Mark Killick, Network Rail Wessex route director, said: 

“This critical improvement work will make journeys better for passengers as once the work is complete, the track and signals will be more reliable and allow us to remove speed restrictions.

“We never take the decision to close a busy stretch of railway lightly and have reviewed our approach carefully to confirm it is the best option. We’re working closely with operators SWR and Cross Country to make passengers aware of alternative travel arrangements and I would encourage anyone travelling to check before they make their plans.”

Alan Penlington, SWR’s customer experience director, added: 

“The work Network Rail is carrying out from the 1 November will mean big improvements for our customers. Not just a more reliable and resilient service, but also visible improvements.

“I realise these works will mean significant disruption for our customers and I’d like to remind anyone who’s travelling to plan ahead to see if their journey is affected. Replacement buses will be in operation meaning journeys will take longer. I’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding whilst these essential works are carried out.”

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