Charing Cross area closed for 22 days this summer (26th July to 16th August 2026)

[brad465]

I wasn't intending to associate Lewisham with the CX closure more to shine a spotlight on the multiple interventions that have taken place at Lewisham over the last few years and propose that a one hit blockades would be a better approach. It has been done for example on East London Line and Gospel Oak Barking. Yes you could rightly say the traffic levels arent as high but then neither are alternative forms of nearby public transport. SE IBU are certainly being bold with the CX closure and are actually putting in a very comprehensive alternative train plan that other operators could do well to emulate.

Preparation can certainly be achieved in advance but resignalling has to completed once youve disconnected the old signalling.

I think a big problem Lewisham has is it is effectively the epicentre of bespoke infrastructure. Almost every junction in the area is a bespoke design, and when they go wrong, as many of them have done, it's a long repair job. One of the lesser-discussed benefits of the Bakerloo Line taking over the Hayes line is that multiple junctions in this area can be removed completely, reducing disruption from both faults and renewal blockades.

Having Lewisham open is also needed to keep the remaining trains running into Cannon Street, those turned short at London Bridge, those running to Victoria and some of those diverted to Victoria (not via Herne Hill).

Lewisham interlocking covers quite close to Nunhead so there may be comissioning impacts on the Catford Loop. So this summer propably isn't a good time to do it...

During the Parks' bridge closures for this work it's been possible to run both Hayes and Bexleyheath line trains to Victoria through the area. However it is certainly true that almost nothing can run to London Bridge and Cannon St, except via Greenwich, so would be very disruptive if done fully in conjunction with the Charing X blockade.

 

[Horizon22]

I wasn't intending to associate Lewisham with the CX closure more to shine a spotlight on the multiple interventions that have taken place at Lewisham over the last few years and propose that a one hit blockades would be a better approach. It has been done for example on East London Line and Gospel Oak Barking.

But Lewisham being taken out of action would probably severely limit access to Cannon Street, London Bridge, Charing Cross, and possibly Victoria and Dartford (via a few routes) depending on what work is required. It is such an interconnected part of the Southeastern network, not to mention having some very unique rail infrastructure (the diamond crossing being one) and being a rather busy hub in its own right (7+ million yearly passengers, which is more than Waterloo East). There is also only the DLR and buses as an alternative provision.

Charing Cross having no service means London Bridge and Cannon Street are still available as is Victoria, all of which are easily connected by Underground. Not many TOCs - arguably none - have the ability to continue to run a reasonable service whilst taking one a London terminus for several weeks.

 

[Mattplans]

Commercial billboards are now advertising this blockade.

 

[hwl]

Commercial billboards are now advertising this blockade.

And leaflets being handed out at gate lines yesterday evening.

 

[Mattplans]

First weekend closure for this is today. It starts next week so Saturday will be the last day of trains from Charing Cross for the summer, 2S82 0050 London Charing Cross to Orpington will be the final service. A real shame services from London Bridge can't reach Blackfriars bays

 

[brad465]

And so it begins:

Network Rail Kent & Sussex (@NetworkRailSE) on X

Day 1 - Charing Cross and Waterloo East 22-day line closure Work to replace nearly 2km of track, rebuild sections of platform and carry out repairs to the Hungerford Bridge and the Waterloo - Waterloo East pedestrian link bridge is now fully underway. Over the 22 days

x.com

Day 1 - Charing Cross and Waterloo East 22-day line closure Work to replace nearly 2km of track, rebuild sections of platform and carry out repairs to the Hungerford Bridge and the Waterloo - Waterloo East pedestrian link bridge is now fully underway. Over the 22 days
@Se_Railway
services will are diverted into either Victoria, Cannon Street or Blackfriars, with some services terminating at London Bridge. To find out where your Charing Cross services are diverted to and full details of ticket acceptance on London Underground, London Buses and alternative rail services please go: http://southeasternrailway.co.uk/CharingCrossUpgrades

(Network Rail image of track renewal work)

Interestingly the photo is from Borough Market, not between Waterloo East and Charing X, which would explain why Thameslink were routed via Tulse Hill today.

 

[liam456]

Indeed!

This picture would be from the bridge in-between those that span Southwark Street and Redcross Way.

In the delivery plan, track panels were delivered to a patch of open land near these bridges (see satellite views) then lifted via crane to the track at this location and finally shuttled towards the work site closer to Charing Cross / Waterloo East.

The possession limits will shorten once these works are complete to allow Thameslink to run on the Snow Hill lines between Blackfriars and London Bridge.

 

[Cricketer8for9]

A

And so it begins:

Network Rail Kent & Sussex (@NetworkRailSE) on X

Day 1 - Charing Cross and Waterloo East 22-day line closure Work to replace nearly 2km of track, rebuild sections of platform and carry out repairs to the Hungerford Bridge and the Waterloo - Waterloo East pedestrian link bridge is now fully underway. Over the 22 days

x.com

Interestingly the photo is from Borough Market, not between Waterloo East and Charing X, which would explain why Thameslink were routed via Tulse Hill today.

And the remaining fast London Bridge to East Croydon trains were 5 coaches only to guarantee extra coziness, with the Hastings trains running 12 coaches London Bridge to Tonbridge (so spare capacity not used).

 

[brad465]

Looking at some notable unit allocation changes: all the Beckenham Jct - Blackfriars' peak runs are now 8-car 465 instead of 5-car 376 (morning) or 4-car 465 (evening), which will be to compensate for Orpington-Victoria being 2tph only. The Gillingham-Blackfriars' morning diagram and Rochester evening diagram are 8-car 465 instead of 8-car 377, although not sure what this is achieving, unless it's because 377s are in short supply.

There aren't many other stock changes that appear obvious, although there are fewer 12-car allocations than I thought there might be (presumably summer holiday reduces demand, even though Cannon St has fewer 12-car restrictions to Charing X).

 

[Mastermind88]

Looking at some notable unit allocation changes: all the Beckenham Jct - Blackfriars' peak runs are now 8-car 465 instead of 5-car 376 (morning) or 4-car 465 (evening), which will be to compensate for Orpington-Victoria being 2tph only. The Gillingham-Blackfriars' morning diagram and Rochester evening diagram are 8-car 465 instead of 8-car 377, although not sure what this is achieving, unless it's because 377s are in short supply. There aren't many other stock changes that appear obvious, although there are fewer 12-car allocations than I thought there might be (presumably summer holiday reduces demand, even though Cannon St has fewer 12-car restrictions to Charing X).

Although Cannon Street has fewer 12 car restrictions the Metro routes that serve Cannon Street do, Woolwich Dockyard is unable to have 12 car networkers due to the tunnels and Erith Loop is too short for 12 car standage to not foul the points at the rear in both directions. Also 707s are far greater and carry more passengers than networkers or 376s and are better for travel experience with this hot weather

 

[Mikey C]

Although Cannon Street has fewer 12 car restrictions the Metro routes that serve Cannon Street do, Woolwich Dockyard is unable to have 12 car networkers due to the tunnels and Erith Loop is too short for 12 car standage to not foul the points at the rear in both directions. Also 707s are far greater and carry more passengers than networkers or 376s and are better for travel experience with this hot weather

Modern trains with SDO would solve the Woolwich Dockyard issue

 

[Jaydubya]

Today the Tunbridge Wells - Victoria services are reduced from 10 to 8 car and now call additionally at Penge East and West Dulwich in the morning peak period. Unsure if this is a one off or something for the remaining two weeks to deal with possible overcrowding on the stopping services between Orpington and Victoria.

 

[Mastermind88]

Modern trains with SDO would solve the Woolwich Dockyard issue

this thread is about current not future stock availability

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Aug 2026 ==

Today the Tunbridge Wells - Victoria services are reduced from 10 to 8 car and now call additionally at Penge East and West Dulwich in the morning peak period. Unsure if this is a one off or something for the remaining two weeks to deal with possible overcrowding on the stopping services between Orpington and Victoria.

that seems odd, i wonder how they are getting away with Driver Dispatch as these are DOO Stations with services operated with Conductors with no agreement for dispatch at these stations

 

[Mattplans]

Today the Tunbridge Wells - Victoria services are reduced from 10 to 8 car and now call additionally at Penge East and West Dulwich in the morning peak period. Unsure if this is a one off or something for the remaining two weeks to deal with possible overcrowding on the stopping services between Orpington and Victoria.

Reports of overcrowding last week on the Vic - Orp's. Of course, that should serve as no surprise to anyone when Southeastern have just about halved capacity on the route.

that seems odd, i wonder how they are getting away with Driver Dispatch as these are DOO Stations with services operated with Conductors with no agreement for dispatch at these stations

Just the normal dispatch as any other mainline service in the metro area by using monitors, I would assume.

 

[OxtedL]

One part of this I hadn't really appreciated until I looked today is how hard the platforms at Victoria are being worked this week - I think this might also be a limiting factor on what they are able to run.

 

[brad465]

that seems odd, i wonder how they are getting away with Driver Dispatch as these are DOO Stations with services operated with Conductors with no agreement for dispatch at these stations

Pretty sure SE services can change between modes en route. It happens at Swanley for all the Victoria-Gillingham services, at Otford for Maidstone East line services, and the NK line summer specials to Ramsgate have a guard from Gillingham after being DOO all the way along the NK line.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Aug 2026 ==

Something that's just occurred to me, is there a particular reason that Waterloo mainline was not considered as an alternative terminus during this blockade, as was done during some of the London Bridge closures 9-10 years ago? This would have relieved pressure on Victoria and provided a more direct link to the areas Waterloo East and Charing X passengers would typically go to. If I had to guess, the following reasons would be why:

- Not enough pilot staff to provide route knowledge
- Not enough capacity at Waterloo
- Too much potential passenger demand for the relative handful of services that would take this course

 

[Bald Rick]

Not enough pilot staff to provide route knowledge
- Not enough capacity at Waterloo
- Too much potential passenger demand for the relative handful of services that would take this course

Yes x3!

 

[brad465]

Yes x3!

Honey I've made it in life! I've successfully got Bald Rick completely backing up one of my posts!

 

[Mattplans]

Just to pour some fuel on the fire... Looks like there is going to be major disruption to Southeastern services in the morning, closing the Sidcup line completely and some stations between Lewisham and Orpington. There seems to have been a fire near Lewisham, I'm not sure if this is directly related to the possession on 09/08 (Charing Cross - Petts Wood) as I can't seem to find anything else about a fire on social media.

It isn't clear to me if the Grove Park line stations are being sacrificed or all SEML traffic is being diverted via Mid-Kent Line. If it's the former, upset to see that happening yet again while fast trains will pass through.


Southeastern twitter:

• NEW: A fire next to the track in the #Lewisham area earlier today has caused considerable damage to signalling cables. Response staff are working to understand the full extent, but we are anticipating significant disruption to services tomorrow. Please check before you travel.
• UPDATE: Services via Hither Green will be severely disrupted this morning due to the fire next to the track yesterday. No trains will run on the Sidcup Line, and no services will call at Elmstead Woods or Chislehurst. More info here: http://spkl.io/60107Mwj4

NRE:

Route(s) affected​

Between London Victoria and Orpington / Dartford / Gravesend, and London Blackfriars and Crayford / Hayes (Kent), and between London Canon Street and New Cross / Slade Green / Barnehurst / Dartford / Orpington # Gillingham (Kent), and also between London Bridge and Hayes (Kent) / Orpington / Sevenoaks / Gravesend

Description​

There was a fire next to the track yesterday in the Lewisham area which has caused some lines to close. As a result, trains running through this station may be cancelled or delayed.

This is expected to continue until 09:00.

What's happened?

A fire next to the track between Lewisham and Hither Green yesterday evening has caused considerable damage to signalling cables and equipment. While response staff attend and effect repairs, the Sidcup Line is closed, and two of the four lines between Hither Green and Petts Wood are unavailable.

How does this affect my journey?

The following service alterations will apply:

• Services to London Cannon Street from the Kent Coast via Medway will not run
• "Rounder" services running to/from London Cannon Street via Woolwich and Sidcup will not run
• Services between Dartford and London Bridge via Sidcup will be diverted via Bexleyheath
• All-stations services between Sevenoaks and London Bridge will be diverted to run fast between Orpington and London Bridge

The following stations will not be served:

• Albany Park
• Bexley
• Chislehurst
• Crayford
• Elmstead Woods
• Grove Park
• Lee
• Mottingham
• New Eltham
• Sidcup

Other services running between Tonbridge and London will be running at a reduced frequency.
All services running via London Bridge are likely to suffer delays.

Fire in question -incident was resolved before start of service. Only freight diverted.

Video here might be of interest to some:

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Aug 2026 ==

 

[brad465]

Tomorrow this area will reopen, here are the pictures Network Rail have released of the completed work:

Network Rail Kent & Sussex (@NetworkRailSE) on X

Tomorrow, we're expecting to welcome back @Se_Railway services into Charing Cross and Waterloo East again. Trains across the Southeastern network will run to their normal timetable. We used the 22-day closure to replace nearly 2km of track, sections of six platforms at Charing

x.com

Tomorrow, we're expecting to welcome back @Se_Railway services into Charing Cross and Waterloo East again. Trains across the Southeastern network will run to their normal timetable. We used the 22-day closure to replace nearly 2km of track, sections of six platforms at Charing Cross and carryout vital repairs to the Hungerford Bridge and the footbridges at Waterloo East. We will be carrying out the final bits of testing overnight tonight ready for the first trains of the day in the morning. We'd like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding.

(Image of approach lines towards Charing X)

Image of Charing X station looking towards country end

I'm guessing the track on the bridge has also been replaced, but given it is not ballasted track is not as obvious as the ballasted track between Hungerford Bridge and Waterloo East. Does anyone know if any junction alterations have occurred (such as reducing number of point-ends)?

 

[edwin_m]

I'm guessing the track on the bridge has also been replaced, but given it is not ballasted track is not as obvious as the ballasted track between Hungerford Bridge and Waterloo East. Does anyone know if any junction alterations have occurred (such as reducing number of point-ends)?

If I recall correctly a couple of switch diamonds replaced by fixed but no functional change to the layout.

 

[Bald Rick]

If I recall correctly a couple of switch diamonds replaced by fixed but no functional change to the layout.

Correct.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

Correct.

That should help reliability.

I believe the previous track layout was installed for London Bridge Resignalling c50 years ago so done pretty well.

 

[Bald Rick]

That should help reliability.

I believe the previous track layout was installed for London Bridge Resignalling c50 years ago so done pretty well.

It’s been ‘Trigger’s broomed’ since then.

 

[frankmoh]

Does anyone have any photos of the new platforms?