Disruption for travellers as Network Rail begins investment programme

Travellers may be disrupted as Network Rail begins major Christmas investment programme this weekend

Service restrictions will be in place from Saturday 23 December to 1 January while Network Rail begin improvement work at Sevenoaks Tunnel, Redhill Statio and London Bridge.

Work will begin at Sevenoaks Tunnel between Tonbridge and Sevenoaks from Saturday 23 to Tuesday 26 December.

They will also work to complete the new platform at Redhill station from Saturday 23 through to Monday 1 January and the final section of London Bridge’s huge modern concourse will open Tuesday 2 January.

Passengers are reminded to plan ahead during this time and to check routes before they travel throughout the festive period by visiting www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk/2017

Throughout Christmas and New Year, a team of over 1100 Network Rail engineers will be working around the clock across the south east to deliver the improvement work as part of the investment programme.

No services will run in the south east on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, including high speed trains to and from St Pancras international.

John Halsall Network Rail’s South East route managing director, said: “This Christmas heralds a huge milestone for the Thameslink Programme and many benefits for the millions of passengers who use London Bridge station each year.

January marks the start of the final countdown to the completion of this modern station with better facilities, new journey options and– throughout 2018 – a vast array of new retail facilities to continue the regeneration of the area. I would like to thank passengers for their patience and wish them a Merry Christmas and New Year.”

Nick Brown, Chief Operating Officer for Govia Thameslink Railway which operates Thameslink, Southern and Gatwick Express, said: “There are significant changes to our train services this festive period, particularly at Redhill and Gatwick Airport.

This supports our programme to modernise the network with new infrastructure, new trains, new technology and new, faster, seamless journeys. I would urge passengers to check and plan ahead.”

Ellie Burrows, Train Services Director, Southeastern, said: “As the festive period approaches, passengers will no doubt already be thinking about alternative travel arrangements for visiting family and friends and avoiding the peak times where possible. We look forward to restoring full Southeastern services from January.”

Works elsewhere during the quieter Christmas period will also affect other National Rail services and transport in London, find out more at www.nationalrail.co.uk/christmas and www.tfl.gov.uk/christmas-travel.