At the end of this month, buses will replace train services between Guildford and Petersfield whilst engineers update 1970s signalling equipment between Farncombe and Petersfield as part of the wider Portsmouth Direct Upgrade Programme.

The line between Guildford and Petersfield will be closed from Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 October, with the closure extending to Havant on Sunday 29 October only.

During the closure, Network Rail engineers will be working around the clock to:

• install signal piles (that provide the foundations for signals);
• install new signal posts;
• install new signal gantries at both ends of Haslemere station;
• lay power cables at Princess Bridge;
• construct a building for signalling equipment;
• upgrade level crossings between Farncombe East and Liss.

The Portsmouth Direct Upgrade is scheduled for completion in October 2024, and when complete all signalling, track and level crossings on the line between Woking and Portsmouth Harbour will have been upgraded. These works will help provide safer and improve the reliability of level crossings, reduce journey times, and provide capacity for more train services in the future.

Whilst the line is closed, engineers will also be carrying out other vital work including:

• stabilising the cuttings at Haslemere and Wormley to reduce the risk of vegetation debris falling onto the track’
• track maintenance at Haslemere;
• refreshing the canopies at Farncombe station;
• repairing repairs in Guildford tunnel;
• carrying out vegetation management along the line.

Mark Killick, Network Rail s Wessex route director, said: Next month our engineers will continue key upgrades to track, signalling and level crossings between Farncombe and Petersfield, as part of our wider Portsmouth Direct Upgrade.

This work is crucial to improving the reliability of the railway for customers travelling between Portsmouth and London Waterloo and will help reduce journey times as well as provide the opportunity to increase the number of services in the future.

There is never a good time to close the railway but our engineers will be making use of every minute to complete a wide range of work and we re grateful to customers for their patience and understanding during this time.

Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s customer and commercial director, commented: “Customers should please check before travelling and allow extra time for journeys, as buses are replacing trains between Guildford and Petersfield for nine days from Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 October, extending to Rowlands Castle and Havant on Sunday 29 October.

“Making the decision to close parts of the network is really difficult because we know how inconvenient it can be for customers, but giving Network Rail this access will allow them to make significant progress upgrading the line and help avoid future day-to-day disruption.

“We thank customers for their patience as these essential upgrades are carried out, which when complete will boost reliability for many years to come.”