Both Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations will have to close for three weeks this summer as part of a major programme of engineering works on the busy stretch of railway leading into Charing Cross.
During the 22-day closure, Southeastern trains into central London will continue to run, but many trains will be diverted to alternative terminals. Most services that would normally use Charing Cross will instead run to London Victoria, London Cannon Street or London Blackfriars, with some trains terminating at London Bridge.
Southeastern has warned that journeys may take longer than usual while the diversions are in place.
The closure will take place between Sunday 26th July and Sunday 16th August 2026.
During the three-week closure, engineers will replace around 1,800 metres of life-expired track between Waterloo East and Charing Cross. The existing track, last renewed in the early 1990s, has become increasingly unreliable and now requires heavy maintenance to keep services running safely. South Eastern Railway says that in recent years, faults on the approaches to Charing Cross alone have caused hundreds of hours of delays, and without intervention, these problems would continue to worsen.
Taking advantage of the closure, the work programme also includes drainage improvements at Waterloo East and structural repairs to Hungerford Bridge, with further “opportunistic” upgrades being developed to maximise what can be delivered while the line is shut.
South Eastern Railway says that concentrating the work into a single 22-day summer closure avoids the need for more than a year of weekend shutdowns, which would have closed the line for around 120 days in total.
Following a review of the options, they concluded that to carry out the work, a continuous closure during the summer, when schools are on holiday and commuter numbers are lower, would be the least disruptive and most efficient way to complete the upgrades.
Scott Brightwell, Director of Operations and Safety, South Eastern Railway, said: “We know closing Charing Cross and Waterloo East for 22-days is a significant change and we’re sorry for the disruption it will cause. This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly. We’ve looked long and hard at every possible option and although none of them are without impact, a single summer closure is the least disruptive and most efficient way to carry out this vital work.
“This section of track is more than 35 years old and has caused thousands of minutes of delays for passengers in recent years. By replacing it now, and combining that with platform, drainage and bridge works, we’re tackling the root causes of disruption in one go. This means fewer closures in the future and a more reliable railway for everyone who depends on these routes.
“We’re working closely with transport partners, local businesses and communities to keep people moving with ticket acceptance on alternative rail routes, London Underground and London Buses. We are committed to ensuring customers are informed, supported and cared for throughout the 22-day closure.”
