Rail services on South Western Railway’s suburban network are set to be replaced by buses due to engineering works in the Wimbledon area.
The service changes will be in effect on January 18, 19, 25, and 26.
South Western Railway (SWR) is urging customers to plan their journeys in advance and allow extra travel time.
The engineering works will see network rail engineers renewing approximately 800 metres of track, ballast, and sleepers between Wimbledon and Earlsfield.
They will also replace points, the moveable sections of track that allow trains to switch lines, and install 100 metres of conductor rail, which powers the trains.
These changes are aimed at improving the reliability of the track in the area, reducing faults caused by rail and wheel wear, and providing a smoother ride for customers.
The services between London Waterloo and Chessington South, Dorking, Hampton Court, London Waterloo via Kingston, and Woking (stopping) will not run during the affected dates.
Rail replacement buses will be in operation between Clapham Junction and various locations including Chessington South via Wimbledon, Worcester Park via Wimbledon, and Surbiton via Kingston, among others.
Berrylands station will be closed, and buses will operate between Addlestone and Weybridge.
Services between London Waterloo and Alton and Basingstoke will begin and end their journeys at Woking.
Longer distance services between London Waterloo and Exeter St David’s, Portsmouth Harbour and Weymouth will be revised and diverted, adding approximately 30 minutes to the usual journey time.
The Ash area will also be affected by the engineering works on January 19, 25, and 26, with revised services and buses running between Aldershot and Guildford.
Customers can plan their journeys in advance at southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey.
Further closures in the Wimbledon area are expected on February 2 and 9.
Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s customer and commercial director, said: “Customers should plan ahead if they intend to travel on these weekends in January, as engineers carry out vital maintenance at one of the busiest parts of our network.
“There will be a large number of service changes, with rail replacement buses operating on our suburban routes, and with long-distance services revised and diverted.
“Diverted services will take around 30 minutes longer than usual, so customers should allow extra time when travelling.
“We are very sorry for the disruption and are very grateful for our customers’ patience.”
Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, added: “There’s never a good time to close the railway, and I’m sorry we are impacting passengers in the Wimbledon area over consecutive weekends.
“We’ve worked hard to find the least disruptive window to deliver these essential engineering works.
“However, completing the upgrades back-to-back is the most efficient and cost-effective option for the taxpayer.
“If you’re planning to travel during our works, please plan ahead and check your journey at nationalrail.co.uk or with South Western Railway for the latest journey information and travel advice.”
For more information on the planned improvements, visit southwesternrailway.com/planned-improvements.