Train will be disrupted next week due to engineering work in connection with the Portsmouth Direct Upgrade that will eventually provide safer, smoother, and more reliable journeys along the route.

The line between Guildford and Petersfield will be closed from Saturday, 11th to Sunday, 19th February, whilst on Sunday, 19th February only, the line from Guildford to Gomshall will also be closed, which will affect Great Western Railway (GWR) services between Guildford and Gatwick Airport. During the closure, South Western Railway (SWR) will provide rail-replacement bus services.

Work to be carried out during the closure includes:

• Renewal of a key set of switches and crossings in Haslemere, including replacing 500m of plain line track and 1,750m of conductor rail;
• initial preparatory work on the signalling system between Farncombe and Petersfield to bring it up to modern standards, which will eventually allow more trains to run between Woking and Portsmouth Harbour;
• carry out track maintenance at Witley station, Milford, Liphook, and Liss, including stone blowing (which is similar to tamping) for smoother and more reliable journeys;
• renew drainage in the Witley area, and stabilise a rock cutting at Gomshall to improve reliability during extreme weather;
• continue upgrade work on three level crossings at Farncombe, Milford, and Lilac;
• carry out graffiti and litter clearance at stations and their surrounding areas.

Engineers will also be working around the clock with contractors Balfour Beatty to demolish a footbridge in Silo Road at Farncombe near Godalming that was constructed in the 1930s. The existing footbridge is constructed from concrete that contains a high level of salts. Using a rail-mounted crane, it will be replaced by a steel footbridge that will be more durable, with a life expectancy of 120 years.

Mark Killick, Network Rail‘s Wessex route director, said: “It’s really great to see work progressing so well on the Portsmouth Direct Upgrade programme. Our teams have been working hard to try and carefully plan and fit multiple pieces of work within the same railway closure, which in turn will save time and taxpayers money.

“I’d like to thank passengers again for their patience while we carry out these upgrades and bring the signalling system up to modern standards. We hope this will be a long-term benefit and cause less disruption in the future.”

Christian Neill, service delivery director for South Western Railway, said: “In mid-February, the major programme of improvements will continue on the Portsmouth Direct line.

“This significant investment will replace decades-old equipment to help improve performance for customers, and infrastructure resilience, for many years to come.

“We appreciate that nine consecutive days of engineering works can be frustrating, so we would like to thank customers for their patience as these improvements are carried out.

“We advise customers to check their whole journey before they travel and to make use of the rail replacement bus services available.”