This morning, 5 January, South Western Railway services resumed between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction following 11 days of intensive engineering work on one of the busiest stretches of railway in the country.
Over the festive period, more than 350 engineers worked around the clock to deliver a series of critical upgrades in the Queenstown Road area, including:
- Renewing approximately 1,000 metres of track, including the electrified third rail
- Replacing switches and crossings, enabling trains to change tracks more efficiently
- Completing signalling and power upgrades to improve reliability
- Installing new ballast and sleepers to strengthen track foundations
- Altering platforms at Queenstown Road station to fit the new track layout
The work was strategically scheduled over Christmas, when passenger numbers are significantly lower, making it the least disruptive time for these essential improvements. By completing the upgrades during this period, engineers avoided eight separate weekend closures, reducing long-term inconvenience for customers.
Speaking on behalf of South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, George Murrell, Route Renewals Director, said:
“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding while we carried out these essential upgrades at London Waterloo. The improvements will make one of the busiest stretches of railway in the country more resilient and customers can expect fewer faults and delays, together with smoother and more reliable journeys.”
These upgrades represent a major investment in the resilience and performance of the Wessex route, ensuring that staff and customers alike benefit from a more robust and efficient railway.
Image and video credits: Network Rail
