Buses will replace South Western train services during engineering works in January, affecting multiple routes and requiring extra travel time.
Wimbledon: So, here’s the scoop. South Western Railway is swapping out train services for buses because of some engineering work happening in the Wimbledon area. This is set for January 18, 19, 25, and 26.
They’re asking everyone to plan ahead and give themselves a bit more time for their journeys. The work involves renewing about 800 meters of track and other bits and bobs to make the ride smoother.
During this time, trains between London Waterloo and places like Chessington South and Dorking won’t be running. Instead, there will be buses running from Clapham Junction to various spots, including Chessington South and Surbiton.
Oh, and Berrylands station will be closed, so buses will be running between Addlestone and Weybridge. If you’re heading to Alton or Basingstoke, those services will start and end at Woking.
Longer trips, like those to Exeter and Portsmouth, will also be affected, adding about 30 minutes to your travel time. The Ash area will see some changes too, with buses running between Aldershot and Guildford on those same dates.
For those planning to travel, it’s a good idea to check out southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey for the latest updates. There are more closures expected in February, so keep an eye out.
Peter Williams from South Western Railway mentioned that it’s crucial to plan ahead during these weekends since they’re doing important maintenance work. He apologized for the hassle and thanked everyone for their patience.
Mark Goodall from Network Rail also chimed in, saying there’s never a good time for these closures but they’re doing their best to minimize disruption. If you’re traveling during this time, make sure to check your journey details for the latest info.
For more on the planned improvements, you can visit southwesternrailway.com/planned-improvements.
