Rail passengers and motorists in Surrey and Hampshire are being advised to plan ahead as Network Rail engineers begin the final stage of the Portsmouth Direct line signalling upgrade between Farncombe and Petersfield. From tomorrow (Saturday 25 October), buses will replace trains between Guildford and Havant for nine days while major work takes place, ending on Sunday 2 November. Once complete, the new signalling system will be controlled from the Basingstoke Railway Operating Centre (ROC), enabling faster and more efficient management of train services.

During the closure, testing will begin on 90 new signals and 17 new signalling equipment buildings that have been installed as part of the multi-million-pound modernisation programme. By the end of November, nine level crossings along the route will also be upgraded with new safety technology, including Obstacle Detection (OD) and CCTV systems, allowing signallers to check crossings in real time and lower barriers safely. Footpath crossings will also be enhanced with miniature stop lights to improve safety for pedestrians.

Details of the level crossing closures are below:

• Liss Common (Saturday 27 September to Monday 27 October)

• Kings Fernsden (Saturday 4 October to Monday 27 October)

• Princes Bridge (Saturday 11 October to Tuesday 28 October)

• Milford (Saturday 18 October to Sunday 2 November)

• Petersfield (Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November) – Night-time closure (10pm to 6am)

• Liss (Sunday 26 October to Sunday 2 November)

• Sheet (Saturday 25 October to 2 November and Saturday 8 November to Sunday 9 November)

• Farncombe East (Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November) – Night-time closure (10pm to 6am)

• Farncombe West (Saturday 25 October to Thursday 13 November)

To carry out this work, several local roads will need to be closed in stages over a six-week period. Drivers using level crossings between Farncombe and Liss are being urged to plan alternative routes, with closures carefully scheduled to reduce disruption. Until the upgrades are complete, safety will be maintained by dedicated staff stationed at affected crossings around the clock.

Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, Mark Goodall, Wessex Route Director, said: “We appreciate that there is never a good time to close the railway and we’re sorry for the disruption this will cause. However, these closures are essential to complete the vital upgrade of the Portsmouth Direct line. By carrying out the majority of work during the autumn half-term - when fewer people travel – we can minimise disruption while delivering long-term benefits. Drivers in the area will need to plan ahead and will need to take alternative routes when the roads around level crossings are closed.”

Image: Network Rail