According to major media reports, Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations will be closed for a total of 22 days between Sunday 26 July and Sunday 16 August. The stations are closing so engineers can replace 1,800 metres of 'life-expired' track between Waterloo East and Charing Cross, among other upgrades, according to Southeastern Railway. The track, last replaced in the early 1990s, has already caused more than a hundred hours of delays due to faults on approaches to Charing Cross, according to Southeastern Railway.
Waterloo East will also undergo drainage improvements and Hungerford Bridge, which crosses the River Thames, will have structural repairs, according to Southeastern Railway. Scott Brightwell, director of operations and safety at Southeastern Railway, stated, 'This section of track is more than 35 years old and has caused thousands of minutes of delays for passengers in recent years. By replacing it now, and combining that with platform, drainage and bridge works, we're tackling the root causes of disruption in one go.
We know closing Charing Cross and Waterloo East for 22 days is a significant change, and we’re sorry for the disruption it will cause.
' Trains will continue to run and routes into London will remain open, but passengers can expect their journeys to be different and may take longer, according to Network Rail. Southeastern services that normally run into Charing Cross will be diverted to London Victoria, London Cannon Street and London Blackfriars, with some trains terminating at London Bridge, according to Southeastern Railway. Tickets will be accepted across all alternative rail routes, the London Underground and London buses, according to Southeastern Railway.
A continuous 22-day closure rather than over numerous weekends or bank holidays was the best option as schools are off, commuter numbers are lower and customers have more flexibility, according to Network Rail. Scott Brightwell explained, 'This is not a decision we've taken lightly. ' By replacing the track now and combining that with platform, drainage and bridge works, they are tackling the root causes of disruption in one go, meaning fewer closures in the future and a more reliable railway, according to Brightwell.
This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly. We’ve looked long and hard at every possible option, and although none of them are without impact, a single summer closure is the least disruptive and most efficient way to carry out this vital work.
They are working closely with transport partners, local businesses and communities to keep people moving with ticket acceptance on alternative rail routes, London Underground and London Buses, he said. Brightwell stated, 'We're working closely with transport partners, local businesses and communities to keep people moving with ticket acceptance on alternative rail routes, London Underground and London Buses. ' The exact number of passengers expected to be affected daily by the closure has not been disclosed.
The specific alternative routes and schedules available for passengers during the closure have not been detailed. The total cost of the maintenance work and who is funding it has not been announced.