Network Rail has reminded passengers in West Sussex and Hampshire that a multi-million-pound upgrade of the lines between Barnham, Chichester and Havant starts in four weeks
The work will involve closing the line over nine days during the autumn half-term, plus two Sundays and one further weekend.
The closure is to allow 2.3km of new track to be laid and improvement work at several level crossings on the route.
During the weekdays, from Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November 2019, buses will replace trains between Havant and Chichester and journeys will take longer than usual.
On the weekend dates the line between Havant and Barnham will be closed, meaning buses will replace trains between those stations on each date affected.
Throughout the work there will be no Southern trains west of Havant to Portsmouth or Southampton. Great Western Railway services to/from Brighton will run to/from Portsmouth instead. Trains to London will still run from Havant (to London Waterloo via South Western Railway) and Bognor Regis (via Southern). During the weekdays, trains to London will also run from Chichester (via Southern).
The planned dates for work are:
- Nine days from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November inclusive
- Sunday 10 November
- Sunday 17 November
- Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December
What did the officials say?
Paul Harwood, Investment Director, Network Rail Southern said:
“Our information campaign has been underway for several weeks, but we will be stepping this up even more between now and the closure dates. We want to ensure that passengers are aware of the work and of the alternative transport arrangements which will be in place.”
“We are working closely with the train operators, local councils and businesses to ensure that people are aware of the work and of the alternative transport arrangements which will be in place.
“Opting for this closure is the most efficient and least disruptive approach. The alternative would be many weekends of disruption. Once complete the work will improve the reliability of rail services on the line reducing delays for passengers.”
Keith Jipps, Infrastructure Director at Southern's parent company Govia Thameslink Railway, said:
“Our Southern services will be significantly affected by this vital work to improve reliability and passengers should check ahead and allow longer for their journeys.”
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