Passengers are being reminded to plan ahead and check their journeys as vital upgrades are completed on the railway on Network Rail’s Sussex route this late May bank holiday.
From Saturday 27 to Sunday 28 May, engineers will be carrying out signalling work between Streatham Hill and Crystal Palace and West Croydon.
This work is part of the wider London Victoria resignalling programme, a major four-year package of upgrades to modernise 1980s track and signalling – the traffic lights of the railway – in south London and into London Victoria.
Following the completion of upgrades on the lines between Balham, Clapham Junction, and London Victoria (platform 9-19) earlier this month, Network Rail has started work on the lines between Tulse Hill, Peckham Rye and Crystal Palace. The new signalling system on these lines will be switched on over the February half term 2024.
From Saturday 27 to Sunday 28 May, engineers will also be working to replace track and stabilise a railway cutting between Oxted and East Grinstead and Oxted and Uckfield.
Part of the track on this line dates back to the 1980s and needs renewing. Replacing the current track, as well as carrying out earthworks and routine inspections will reduce the risk of having to introduce speed restrictions in the area and will also help prevent disruption to services as a result of landslips.
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “There is never a good time to close the railway, but we have chosen to complete this work over the bank holiday weekend when passenger numbers are generally lower to help minimise disruption.
“The work is vital in modernising the dated track because it’s important that we give passengers better and more reliable journeys.”
Image credit: Network Rail
