Network Rail announces closures and reduced services for nine days in south London at the end of August 2024

Network Rail is advising passengers in south London to plan ahead if they’re travelling from Saturday 24th August to Sunday 1st September, as the company carries out a major track upgrade at Crystal Palace.

Here’s more details:

Between Tuesday 27 and Friday 30 August, Southern trains to and from London Bridge via Sydenham and New Cross Gate will start and terminate at Crystal Palace.

Whilst the work is taking place, for nine days from Saturday 24 August to Sunday 1 September there will be no Southern trains at West Norwood, Gipsy Hill, Birkbeck and Beckenham Junction stations. The work will also impact trains at stations from Streatham Hill to Norwood Junction / Sydenham.

There will also be a reduced Southern service through Peckham Rye, East Dulwich, North Dulwich, Tulse Hill, Norwood Junction and West Croydon stations.

At Crystal Palace there will be no Southern or London Overground trains from Saturday 24 August to Monday 26 August.

Between Tuesday 27 and Friday 30 August Southern services will run to and from London Bridge via Sydenham and Brockley, but there will be no Southern services to or from Streatham Hill and Victoria.

On Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September there will be no Southern services to or from Crystal Palace.

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex Route Director, said:

We know there is never a good time to close the railway, but the work will bring significant improvements.

“In addition to the replacement of the switches and crossings, we will install 730 metres of new conductor rail and 4000m of new signalling and telecom cables.

We’re advising people to plan ahead and use London Bus, London Underground or alternative National Rail services. Please check before you travel.

The current upgrade is just one part of our continuing investment in improving passenger journeys.

This autumn in the same area, we are also planning a significant upgrade in the signalling to modernise 1980s equipment which will result in fewer faults and fewer delays.

Chris Fowler, Network Operations and Performance Director for Govia Thameslink Railway which operates Southern trains said:

“Network Rail’s major improvements to this busy part of the network will deliver long-term benefits for South London, and we thank our customers for their patience and understanding during these upcoming nine days of inconvenience.

“Please plan ahead and consider your alternative travel arrangements with London Overground, the Tube and London Buses.”

Customers can check train times at www.nationalrail.co.uk and plan alternative routes at www.tfl.gov.uk