Network Rail has advised passengers to check before traveling in and around London this weekend  – Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th October as the majority of the trains that run between Victoria and East Croydon are to be diverted to London Bridge.

Passengers with rail tickets for the unavailable route will be accepted on London Underground services between London Victoria, London Bridge and Balham, and also on London Buses between Balham and Streatham Hill.

Modernisation of the 1980s track and signalling into London Victoria station will improve reliability and will enable more freight and passenger trains to arrive on time. The works include:

• Replacement of all signalling equipment in the Clapham and Balham areas, and lines into London Victoria
• Upgrade of track at key junctions surrounding Clapham and Balham with new, more reliable equipment
• A new and improved track layout installed between Clapham and Victoria stations, improving line speeds and reliability

Fewer faults and delay are expected with the new equipment, meaning passengers will have a more enjoyable journey in and out of Victoria. The work this weekend is just part of a modernisation programme Network Rail has planned. More work which may mean changes to train services are expected to place on:

• Saturday and Sunday 27th and 28th November
• Over Christmas and New Year – 25 December 2021 to Monday 3 January 2022
• Some weekends in early 2022, including Easter

During the engineering works, signallers will be helped by new turnback facilities at Clapham and at Balham to keep the trains moving.

More upgrading to track and signalling is to take place on South London lines over the next few years. 2022 to 2024 will see work happening at Tulse Hill to Peckham Rye and Crystal Palace; and between 2023 to 2025, work will take place at Battersea (Stewarts Lane) to Herne Hill, Nunhead and Ravensbourne

Katie Frost, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said: “While much of the railway will be open, I urge passengers to plan ahead by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk. We are delivering a vital £160m upgrade to improve the reliability and performance of trains in South London and the wider region which will mean a better railway for travellers.

“These improvements will also allow an uplift in train services between Clapham Junction and London Victoria in the future and I’d like to thank passengers for their understanding.”

Train tickets will also be valid on South Western Railway services between Clapham Junction and London Waterloo. A limited rail replacement bus service will run between East Croydon and Clapham Junction for local journeys.

Chris Fowler, Customer Services Director for Southern, said: “We’re working closely with Network Rail and other transport operators to make sure our customers can get where they need to be during this essential infrastructure modernisation programme, which is helping to improve the reliability of their train services. If you’re travelling to or through South London this weekend, please check routes and times in advance, and please continue to follow government advice about face coverings.”

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