Train cancellations in south London during half term week

The upgrade work means that no trains will run on parts of the National Rail and London Overground from Saturday, October 26 through to Friday, November 1.

These upgraded signalling systems will impact Thameslink trains, Southern Rail and the London Overground.

The changes are part of a £400 million programme of investment in track and signalling upgrades that Network Rail is delivering in south London.

Previously, signalling updates have been implemented between East Croydon and London Victoria back in 2o22.

Network Rail claims this has led to delays being cut by more than half and hopes that these upgrades will deliver similar benefits for passengers.

Thameslink closures

During the week of closures, Thameslink passengers travelling between Herne Hill, Wimbledon and Sutton are advised to use London buses, alternative national rail, London trams or underground trains.

Southern Rail closures

On Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27 there will be no Southern Rail services between Balham and London Bridge; London Victoria and West Croydon (via Crystal Palace); London Bridge and Streatham; or London Bridge and Beckenham Junction.

Replacement buses will only run between London Bridge and Streatham Common via Peckham Rye and Tulse Hill.

For other routes, paper tickets will be accepted on London buses.

From Monday, October 28 through to Friday, November 1, no trains will run between London Bridge and Streatham or London Bridge and Beckenham Junction.

Trains which usually run between London Bridge and London Victoria as well as between London Victoria and West Croydon (via Crystal Palace), 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 closures

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

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

Passengers travelling to and from Crystal Palace on Saturday to Tuesday are advised use local buses via any reasonable route.

From Saturday, October 26 to Tuesday, October 29 there will be an amended service on routes between Highbury & Islington and West Croydon and New Cross.

From Wednesday, October 30 to Friday, November 1 some Crystal Palace and New Cross services will be re-timed.

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “It's vital that we continue to invest to modernise our assets and give passengers the delay free journeys they expect.

“Signalling upgrades between East Croydon and London Victoria in 2022 saw delays cut by more than half and we are expecting this phase of signalling upgrades in the Crystal Palace, Tulse Hill and Peckham Rye areas to deliver a similarly impressive reduction in delays when it comes into use.

“We know the work means days of major changes to journeys for passengers and we are sorry for the disruption. Please plan ahead, look out for further updates and follow travel advice.”

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.”

Network Rail has confirmed that there will also be some weekend closures in the same area before and after the October half-term closure.

These are needed to allow engineers to get the new signalling system ready and then to remove “redundant equipment that is no longer required”.

Signalling control of the Crystal Palace, Peckham Rye and Tulse Hill areas will move from the Victoria Area Signalling Centre to the state-of-the-art Three Bridges Rail Operating Centre from November.

The switch-on of the new signalling is the culmination of three years of work.

Network Rail have installed 65 new signals, new signal gantries, two new power supply points and hundreds of kilometres of signalling, telecoms and power supply cables.