South London rail passengers warned of half-term disruptions

Rail passengers in South London are being urged to plan ahead as Network Rail brings an upgraded signalling system online over seven days this October half-term.

No trains will run on parts of the National Rail and London Overground networks for seven days from October 26, to November 1 – half term week.

During the seven-day closure, Thameslink passengers travelling between Herne Hill, Wimbledon and Sutton are advised to use London buses or alternative National Rail, London Trams or London Underground routes.

On October 26 and 27, there will be no Southern services between Balham and London Bridge, London Victoria and West Croydon, or London Bridge and Streatham.

There will also be no trains between London Bridge and Beckenham Junction. Replacement buses will only run between London Bridge and Streatham Common, via Peckham Rye and Tulse Hill. For all other routes, paper tickets will be accepted on local London Buses.

From October 28, to November 1, no trains will run between London Bridge and Streatham nor London Bridge and Beckenham Junction.

Trains which usually run between London Bridge and London Victoria, and between London Victoria and West Croydon , will only run between London Victoria and Streatham Hill. Additional trains will run between London Bridge and Sutton via West Croydon.

Replacement buses will only run between London Bridge and Streatham Common, via Peckham Rye and Tulse Hill. Paper tickets will be accepted on London Buses for all other routes.

London Overground services between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction will be replaced by buses throughout the seven-day closure from October 26 to November 1.

London Overground trains between Sydenham and Crystal Palace are also suspended from October 26 to 29, to allow the improvement works to take place.

From October 26 to 29, there will be an amended service on routes between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon and New Cross. From October 30 to November 1, some Crystal Palace and New Cross services will be re-timed.

The upgrades, taking place between Crystal Palace, Tulse Hill and Peckham Rye, are part of a £400million programme of investment in track and signalling upgrades that Network Rail is delivering in South London.

Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “While this major investment in modern signalling is inevitably disruptive, earlier phases of Network Rail’s programme have already brought huge punctuality improvements for our customers on other South London routes. We thank passengers in advance for their patience and understanding while the work is under way.”

Pictured top: Previous signalling works being carried out by Network Rail (Picture: Network Rail)