Nine-Day Closure Announced on Key South Coast Rail Route

Passengers intending to use the Portsmouth Direct Line between 14 and 22 February are being urged to check before they travel as Network Rail undertakes a significant package of engineering works. The programme will require temporary closures across parts of the route, with rail replacement buses operating and longer journey times expected.

The most substantial disruption will take place between Petersfield and Havant, where the railway will be shut for more than a week. Additional weekend closures will affect services towards Portsmouth Harbour and Guildford. During the closure period:

• the railway will be closed between Petersfield and Havant from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February.

• the closure extends between Havant and Portsmouth Harbour on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 February only.

• services will not run between Guildford and Havant from Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February.

Buses will replace trains between the affected stations throughout these dates, and passengers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys.

Network Rail says the February half-term blockade has been scheduled to deliver a coordinated set of essential improvements in one concentrated window. The work will include:

• drainage improvements to help protect the railway from flooding

• track renewals to maintain a smooth and reliable journey

• signalling, power and telecoms work to support the safe operation of the route

• follow-up activity after the commissioning of the Farncombe to Petersfield signalling upgrade

Once the February works between Petersfield and Havant are complete, engineers will return later in the spring to continue upgrades in the Portsmouth area. The line between Havant and Portsmouth will close again for improvement works from Saturday 28 March 2026 until Thursday 2 April 2026. Network Rail says the programme forms part of continued investment to keep the Portsmouth Direct Line safe and reliable.

Tom McNamee, Infrastructure Director for Network Rail Wessex and South Western Railway said:

“We’re continuing to invest in maintaining and renewing the Portsmouth Direct Line to support a safer and more reliable railway. This work builds on improvements already delivered and forms part of a longer programme of activity across the route. We know there is never a good time to close the railway, and we’re sorry for the disruption this will cause. By carrying out this work during the school half-term, when passenger numbers are typically lower, we can complete a significant amount of essential work more efficiently and reduce the need for repeated closures later on.”

Image: Network Rail