Four years’ worth of major engineering works is set to begin on Network Rail lines from London Victoria.
Engineers will modernise track dating from the 1980s and improve signalling. The first phase will begin at weekends this month and include lines running from Victoria, Clapham and Balham, and between Clapham and Shepherds Bush – continuing until after Christmas 2022.
Upgrades between Tulse Hill, Peckham Rye and Crystal Palace, and between Nunhead, Herne Hill and the Battersea area will follow between 2022 and 2025.
Shaun King, route director, Sussex said: “It’s vital that we continue to modernise the rail network so that we can build back better, stronger and more reliable than ever before for passengers and freight users.
“Much of the track and signalling in South London is more than 40 years old and it’s also some of the most intensively used in the country.
“The work we are doing on the lines into Victoria over the next few years will keep passengers moving safely and reliably long into the future.”
Southern Customer Services Director Chris Fowler said: “The route to Victoria is one of our busiest and a signal failure or track fault here creates delays across the south east. That’s why we welcome Network Rail’s initiative and will support them by altering our train service and arranging alternative transport each weekend their engineers are working.”
Passengers travelling on affected routes are advised to check before travelling at weekends and bank holidays.
On the following dates, no trains will run between Victoria-East Croydon. Most trains will be diverted to London Bridge. A limited rail replacement bus service will run between East Croydon and Clapham Junction for local journeys.
Rail tickets will be accepted on London Underground services between London Victoria and London Bridge and Balham and on London Buses between Balham and Streatham Hill. Tickets will also be valid on South Western Railway services between Clapham Junction and London Waterloo:
- Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 February
- Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 February
- Saturday 1 – Monday 3 May (Bank Holiday weekend)
- Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 May
- Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 May
- Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 May
- Saturday 29 – Monday 31 May (Bank Holiday weekend)
- Sunday 6 June – no trains will run between Balham and Victoria
Christmas closures
- Saturday 25 December – Sunday 2 January 2022 – 9-day closure
- Sunday 25 December – Monday 2 January 2023 – 9-day closure