As the Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre (ROC) celebrates its 10th anniversary, Network Rail has completed a £129 million signalling upgrade between Farncombe and Petersfield, marking one of the most substantial investments on the Portsmouth Direct Line.

The ROC, which opened in November 2015, now controls signalling between Farncombe and Petersfield, transferring oversight from a series of ageing signal boxes. The modernisation is designed to enhance reliability and resilience for passengers across the Wessex route.

During a nine-day closure between Guildford and Havant, engineers tested 90 new signals and brought 17 new signalling equipment buildings into operation. Nine level crossings were upgraded along the route, with the final site at Farncombe West scheduled for completion on 13 November. The work includes the installation of obstacle-detection and CCTV technology to improve safety for road users and give signallers better visibility of the line.

The key improvements include replacing older automatic half-barrier crossings with modern barriers fitted with obstacle-detection technology, upgrading nine level crossings with CCTV and obstacle-detection systems, and enhancing two footpath crossings to provide safer access for local users.

Tom Desmond, Operations Director, speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, said: “‘Since early 2022, we’ve been delivering a major programme of upgrades along the Portsmouth Direct Line. This £129 million investment brings the route firmly into the modern era, with new signalling and safer level crossings that will make journeys more reliable and reduce the need for future closures. We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this long-term work was completed to improve journeys between Portsmouth and London.”

The Farncombe–Petersfield upgrade is part of the broader Portsmouth Direct Upgrade, a once-in-a-generation modernisation of the route between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour.

Image: Network Rail