Network Rail has issued the following press release about engineering work affecting Southern journeys west of Chichester this October half term.
- Improvement work takes place between Saturday 24 October and Sunday 1 November, affecting train services through Havant
- The latest track and signalling improvements are part of two major projects to provide a more reliable railway for South Western Railway and Southern customers
- Customers should plan their journeys carefully, as buses will replace trains in the Chichester, Guildford, Havant, Petersfield, Portsmouth and Southampton areas
One of the busiest areas on the South Western Railway (SWR) network is getting an upgrade this October.
During the October half-term, engineers will continue a major project to reduce signalling failures in the Havant area, while carrying out vital maintenance to improve reliability between Liphook and Petersfield.
The latest round of improvements take place between Saturday 24 October and Sunday 1 November in Havant, the busy corridor that connects Guildford with Portsmouth and Chichester with Southampton. Buses will replace both SWR and Southern services in these areas (see below).
61 new axle counters, vital equipment that tells signallers where trains are on the network, will be installed as part of the Havant resignalling programme, alongside upgrades for important safety systems.
Building on the Farncombe to Petersfield signalling upgrade completed in 2025, engineers will install new rails between Liphook and Petersfield, while upgrading signalling and cabling systems.
Both projects are part of SWR and Network Rail Wessex’s £250 million investment to replace ageing track and signalling, and part of its wider plans to improve the reliability of the railway.
Elsewhere, 183 metres of track will be renewed in the Fishbourne area. Rails, sleepers and ballast will be replaced to provide smoother and more comfortable journeys on Southern’s West Coastway route.
Buses will replace trains in the Chichester, Guildford, Havant, Petersfield, Portsmouth and Southampton areas, and customers are being asked to plan their journeys carefully.
George Murrell, Renewals Director for South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, said:“Reliable trains need reliable tracks and signals, which is why we’re investing in renewing and upgrading signalling systems on this key route. This is an important step as we continue to improve our railway and deliver the reliable service our customers deserve.
“We’ve tried to minimise the impact by completing this work over the half-term period when, typically, fewer people travel. If you are travelling over the half-term period, please make sure you plan ahead and allow plenty of time to complete your journey.“
Jenny Saunders, Customer Service Director for Southern, said: “Vital resignalling work designed to give our passengers better, more reliable services, regrettably means anyone travelling west of Chichester this October half term will have to use a rail replacement bus.
“I know that for some people this will mean longer journeys and I’m sorry for the impact this will have. Please check your options and plan ahead now using our online journey planner at southernrailway.com.”
What this means for journeys
Saturday October 24
Two buses per hour will replace Southern services between Havant and Southampton Central.
Sunday 25 October
SWR services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour will finish their journeys at Guildford.
Two fast buses per hour will run between Guildford, Haslemere and Petersfield.
A stopping bus will also run hourly between Guildford and Petersfield calling at Farncombe, Godalming, Milford, Witley, Haslemere, Liphook and Liss.
Buses will also replace Southern trains between Havant and Southampton Central.
Monday 26 – Friday 30 October
SWR services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour will finish their journeys at Petersfield.
An hourly fast bus will run between Havant, Fratton and Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour.
An hourly stopping bus will run between Petersfield and Portsmouth Harbour calling at Rowlands Castle, Havant, Bedhampton, Hilsea, Fratton and Portsmouth & Southsea.
Southern services will finish their journeys at Chichester, with replacement buses running between Chichester and Portsmouth Harbour and between Chichester and Southampton Central.
Saturday 31 October
Train services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth will finish their journeys at Haslemere.
Two fast buses per hour will run between Haslemere, Petersfield and Havant.
An hourly stopping bus will run between Haslemere and Havant calling at Liphook, Liss, Petersfield and Rowlands Castle.
Sunday 1 November
SWR services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour will finish their journeys at Guildford.
Two fast buses an hour will run between Haslemere, Petersfield and Havant.
An hourly bus will run between Guildford, Farncombe, Godalming and Haslemere.
An hourly stopping bus will also run between Guildford and Havant calling at Farncombe, Godalming, Milford, Witley, Haslemere, Liphook, Liss, Petersfield and Rowlands Castle.
