| Re: Surrey rail closures prompt travel warning for passengers - 25 Oct to 2 Nov 2025 Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:56, 28th September 2025 |     |
An update, from the BBC:
Road and rail closures in Surrey and Hampshire as crossing upgrades begin
A series of rail and road closures began at the weekend which will affect train passengers and motorists between Guildford and Portsmouth.
Between September and November, nine level crossings will be upgraded to make them safer for all road users, said Network Rail. It said technology, including obstacle detection and CCTV control, was being installed, allowing a signaller to check the crossing and lower the barriers when safe.
Mark Goodall, Wessex route director for Network Rail, said the closures were "essential to complete the vital upgrade of the Portsmouth direct line".
"By carrying out the majority of work during the autumn half term when fewer people travel, we can minimise disruption while delivering long-term benefits," he said. Mr Goodall added that Network Rail was "sorry for the disruption this will cause".
The rail operator said there would be line closures between Guildford and Havant over the next four weekends, before a nine-day line closure at the end of October.
The closures dates are:
* 27 September to 28 September
* 4 October to 5 October
* 11 October to 12 October
* 18 October to 19 October
* 25 October to 2 November
The company advised passengers to check before they travel during these periods as services will be revised.
The company says drivers using level crossings between Farncombe and Liss should be aware of upcoming road closures, with details of the road closure dates available on its website.
Road closures will be staggered across a six-week period, with the first closure on Saturday at Liss Common Level Crossing and the final works scheduled to finish on 13 November at Farncombe West.
"Drivers in the area will need to plan ahead and will need to take alternative routes when the roads around level crossings are closed," Mr Goodall added.
A series of rail and road closures began at the weekend which will affect train passengers and motorists between Guildford and Portsmouth.
Between September and November, nine level crossings will be upgraded to make them safer for all road users, said Network Rail. It said technology, including obstacle detection and CCTV control, was being installed, allowing a signaller to check the crossing and lower the barriers when safe.
Mark Goodall, Wessex route director for Network Rail, said the closures were "essential to complete the vital upgrade of the Portsmouth direct line".
"By carrying out the majority of work during the autumn half term when fewer people travel, we can minimise disruption while delivering long-term benefits," he said. Mr Goodall added that Network Rail was "sorry for the disruption this will cause".
The rail operator said there would be line closures between Guildford and Havant over the next four weekends, before a nine-day line closure at the end of October.
The closures dates are:
* 27 September to 28 September
* 4 October to 5 October
* 11 October to 12 October
* 18 October to 19 October
* 25 October to 2 November
The company advised passengers to check before they travel during these periods as services will be revised.
The company says drivers using level crossings between Farncombe and Liss should be aware of upcoming road closures, with details of the road closure dates available on its website.
Road closures will be staggered across a six-week period, with the first closure on Saturday at Liss Common Level Crossing and the final works scheduled to finish on 13 November at Farncombe West.
"Drivers in the area will need to plan ahead and will need to take alternative routes when the roads around level crossings are closed," Mr Goodall added.
| Surrey rail closures prompt travel warning for passengers - 25 Oct to 2 Nov 2025 Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:44, 7th September 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Rail passengers in Surrey and southern England are being urged to plan ahead due to upcoming line closures for upgrade works.
From 25 October to 2 November, services between Staines and Windsor, and between Guildford and Havant, will be suspended and replacement buses will be running.
The closures coincide with the school half-term, a period Network Rail says typically sees fewer passengers.
Mark Goodall, Wessex Route Director for Network Rail and South Western Railway, said: "We're very sorry for the disruption to journeys at the end of October."
Network Rail said the work will see six miles of track renewed on the Staines-Windsor line.
On the line between Guildford and Havant, the final phase of upgrades to the Portsmouth Direct line will be completed.
This includes a major resignalling upgrade between Farncombe and Petersfield finished, which started in early 2022.
The new system will be controlled from the Basingstoke Railway Operating Centre, with 90 signals and 17 equipment buildings being activated and tested.
Network Rail said the upgrades will deliver safer and more reliable services.
To prepare for commissioning, four weekend closures will take place on 27-28 September, 4-5 October, 11-12 October and 18-19 October.
Additionally, nine level crossings in south west Surrey and north east Hampshire will be upgraded.
Network Rail said road closures will be "carefully staggered" to minimise disruption.
The first crossing closure begins at the end of September, with the final works scheduled to finish by mid-November.
Mr Goodall added: "We recommend checking before you travel and allowing extra time for your journey."
