Network Rail Announces Major Closures Until November As Engineering Works Begin

Published on: 28 Sep, 2025
Updated on: 28 Sep, 2025

Nine level crossings will be upgraded to make them safer

A series of engineering works have begun that will affect rail passengers travelling between Guildford and Portsmouth right up until November 13.

Road and rail closures will take place at various times as Network Rail engineers complete the final stage of the Portsmouth Direct signalling upgrade between Farncombe and Petersfield.

Between September and November, nine level crossings will be upgraded to make them safer for road users, says Network Rail.

New technology will include Obstacle Detection (OD) and CCTV control being installed. CCTV means a signaller can check the crossing and lower the barriers when it is safe.

Network Rail says: “Following the upgrade, signalling control will be transferred to the Basingstoke Railway Operating Centre (ROC) to enable faster and more efficient train management. During the line closure, testing will begin on the 90 new signals and 17 new signalling equipment buildings that have been installed and constructed.”

Ahead of the new signals being commissioned, there will be line closures between Guildford and Havant over the next three weekends. This will be followed by a nine-day line closure at the end of October. The dates of these closures are:

Saturday October 4 to Sunday October 5
Saturday October 11 to Sunday October 12
Saturday October 18 to Sunday October 19
Saturday October 25 to Sunday November 2 (nine- day closure)

Network Rail says: “Passengers should check before they travel during these periods as services will be revised, taking longer than normal. Once this upgrade has been completed, passengers will benefit from more reliable railway.”

Motorists using level crossings between Farncombe and Liss should be aware of upcoming road closures as engineers carry out upgrades at nine level crossings to improve safety for road users and support a more efficient train service.

The improvements include:

Upgrading automatic half-barrier crossings to modern barriers with OD to improve safety.
Converting some crossings so they are monitored by CCTV or obstacle detection systems.
Updating footpath crossings with miniature stop lights for added safety.

Road closures will be staggered across a six-week period.

Network Rail says: “Until the level crossings are fully operational, the safety of road and rail users will be ensured by dedicated staff on site 24/7.”

The company lists details of the closures as follows:

Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, Mark Goodall, Wessex Route Director, said: “We appreciate that there is never a good time to close the railway and we’re sorry for the disruption this will cause. However, these closures are essential to complete the vital upgrade of the Portsmouth Direct line. By carrying out the majority of work during the autumn half-term – when fewer people travel – we can minimise disruption while delivering long-term benefits.

“Drivers in the area will need to plan ahead and will need to take alternative routes when the roads around level crossings are closed.”