Engineering work affects SWR suburban services on Sundays 2 and 9 February

Tuesday 28th January 2025

Class 707 train at platform

  • Services on South Western Railway’s suburban network will be replaced by buses due to engineering work in the Wimbledon area
  • Service changes will apply on Sunday 2 and Sunday 9 February
  • Customers should plan ahead at southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey and allow extra time to complete their journeys

SOUTH Western Railway (SWR) is advising customers to plan ahead of Sunday 2 and Sunday 9 February.

Engineers will complete maintenance in the Wimbledon area, affecting services across the SWR network, with many services in South West London and Surrey replaced by buses.

Network Rail engineers will finish work to renew approximately 800 metres of track, ballast, and sleepers between Wimbledon and Earlsfield.

They will also replace points (moveable sections of track that allow trains to move from one line to another) and install 100 meters of conductor rail, which powers trains.

When complete, the work will improve the reliability of the track in the area. It will also reduce the number of faults caused by rail and wheel wear and provide customers with a smoother ride as the layout of the track is improved.

Services between London Waterloo and Chessington South, Dorking and London Waterloo via Kingston, will not run. Other services will be revised and customers should check at southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey.

On Sunday 2 February, rail replacement bus services will operate between Clapham Junction and:

  • Twickenham via Kingston
  • Chessington South via Wimbledon
  • Worcester Park via Wimbledon
  • Surbiton (non-stop)
  • Hampton Court via Surbiton
  • Effingham Junction via Surbiton
  • Weybridge via Surbiton

Buses will also operate between Addlestone and Weybridge.

On Sunday 9 February, rail replacement buses will operate between Clapham Junction and:

  • Chessington South via Wimbledon
  • Surbiton (non-stop)
  • Surbiton via Wimbledon
  • Surbiton via Kingston
  • Epsom via Wimbledon

Berrylands station will be closed on both days.

Services between London Waterloo, Alton and Basingstoke will run hourly, starting and finishing their journeys at Woking.

Long-distance services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids, Portsmouth Harbour and Weymouth will be revised and diverted, taking approximately 30 minutes longer.

Customers can plan ahead at southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey.

Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s Customer and Commercial Director, said:

“We’re once again advising customers to plan ahead, this time if they’re intending to travel on our services on Sunday 2 and Sunday 9 February.

“With engineering work continuing in the Wimbledon area, and closure in the Portsmouth area, many of our services will be revised, diverted or replaced by buses.

“When this vital maintenance is completed, our customers can expect better journeys and a more reliable railway. We appreciate our customers’ patience and once again would like to encourage them to check before travelling.”

Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex Route Director, said:

“There’s never a good time to close the railway, and I’m sorry we are impacting passengers across south west London over consecutive Sundays.

“We always try and find the least disruptive window to deliver these essential engineering works. Completing these upgrades back-to-back is the most efficient and cost-effective option for the taxpayer.

“If you're planning to travel on these Sundays, please plan ahead and check your journey at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with South Western Railway for the latest journey information and travel advice.

“We would like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out these vital improvement works.”