Engineering works affecting train services around Portsmouth from today
Network Rail's carrying out maintenance right through half term
A half term closure of the railway line between Portsmouth, Havant and Fareham could bring some disruption.
Trains will be replaced by buses from today (Saturday 15th February) through until next Friday (21st February) while some engineering work's carried out by Network Rail.
They're due to be completing a number of projects:
• At Portcreek Junction, engineers will lay 390m of new track and 450m of conductor rail (the part of the track that provides power to the trains), and replace two sets of points - the moveable sections of track that allow trains to move from one line to another
• At Bedhampton, new track will be laid and ballast put down at the level crossing, which will also be given a fresh lick of paint
• Between Quay Viaduct, Fareham and Portchester power sub-station, a number of dead, diseased and dangerous trees will be removed to reduce leaf fall onto railway tracks and help keep trains running safely and on time
• Fratton footbridge will be also refurbished to bring it up to modern loading standards, with scaffolding erected to allow engineers to work on the exterior elevations of the structure including painting the underside of the bridge
These upgrades are thought to reduce the need for speed restrictions and improve the reliability of services, bringing 'smoother, quieter, and more comfortable' journeys.
From today until Tuesday 18th February, a rail replacement bus service will run between Havant and Fareham and Havant and Portsmouth Harbour.
In the early morning and late evening, Southern will also run rail replacement buses between Havant and Southampton Central.
There'll also be rail replacement bus services running between Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour from today until Friday 21st February.
Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex Route Director, said: “There’s never a good time to close the railway but the February half term will see fewer passengers using our services.
"Our engineers will be working across a number of worksites to complete a range of really important upgrades that, once complete, will make for more reliable and enjoyable journeys for the many passengers who travel on this busy and critical part of the rail network.
“I’d like to apologise to any passengers impacted by this work and thank them for bearing with us while we carry out these vital improvements to our railway.”
Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director for South Western Railway said:
“We’re recommending that customers check before travelling if they are using our services in the Portsmouth area, as rail replacement buses will run from Fareham and Havant, and also between Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour.
“We’re sorry for the disruption, however, the work our colleagues at Network Rail will carry out during these closures will result in a more reliable railway and smoother journeys.”