Tree Falls on Guildford to Portsmouth Line – Now Reopened

Published on: 17 Jan, 2026
Updated on: 19 Jan, 2026

A tree fell on the Guildford to Portsmouth train line earlier this evening (Saturday, January 17) temporarily disrupting railway services. No casualties have been reported.

Network Rail, in a report last update at 8.50pm, said:”Following a tree blocking the railway at Godalming, all lines have now reopened. Trains running between Guildford and Havant may still be cancelled, delayed up to 30 minutes or revised to allow the service to recover.

“Disruption is expected until the end of the day.”The incident is thought to have occured around 5.30pm near Ockford Ridge, just south of Godalming near the Inn on the Lake..A text message from a nearby resident said: “…it genuinely sounded like an overhead crash of thunder and lightening”.

The line closed for around three hours and the level crossing at Milford was said to have been closed for over 30 minutes with cars backed up.

Network Rail have issued the following customer advice:

Due to the level of disruption experienced, both crew and trains are displaced – in order to minimise disruption there will be delays and short notice alterations so please check your journey.

Although trains have started to run again, the following acceptance is in place in order for you to help you complete your journey.

Your ticket can be used, at no extra cost, on the following services:

Southern services between Portsmouth Harbour – Havant and Portsmouth Harbour – Southampton Central.
First Bus Rail Air 2 between Woking and Guildford
Stagecoach South 19 between Aldershot – Farnham – Haslemere
Stagecoach South 37 between Petersfield and Havant
Stagecoach South 46 between Farnham – Farncombe – Godalming – Guildford
Stagecoach South 700 “Coastliner” between Havant Bus Station – Hilsea Old London Road – Portsmouth City Centre – Portsmouth Harbour
Stagecoach South 70, 71 and 72 between Guildford – Farncombe – Godalming – Milford – Witley – Haslemere

South Western Railway have arranged replacement buses to run between Haslemere and Guildford, but these are not running to a specific timetable.

Because your journey has been heavily disrupted, you can book your own taxi and claim the cost back through the South Western Railway website. This applies to travel between any stations served by South Western Railway between Woking and Portsmouth Harbour. You will need to provide the following details to make a claim.