Network Rail is calling on passengers to plan their journeys carefully this Christmas and New Year as engineers work around the clock to deliver essential upgrades for a more reliable railway.
The festive period provides a rare opportunity to carry out major improvements during the quietest time of year on the network, helping to minimise disruption while ensuring long-term benefits for customers.
As usual, no trains will run on Christmas Day, and only a limited service will operate on Boxing Day on selected Southern routes.
Key works include:
- East Croydon: Replacement of the conductor rail – the third rail that powers trains.
- Gatwick and Three Bridges: Heavy maintenance at vital junctions to keep them safe and reliable.
- South Bermondsey: From 27 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, the station will close for a full platform rebuild. The current precast concrete structure, dating back to the 1970s, is in poor condition. During this time, Southern trains will not call at South Bermondsey, and passengers should use local bus services.
Additional changes:
- 1–4 January 2026: Buses will replace Southern trains between London Bridge and Tulse Hill via South Bermondsey and Peckham Rye. On 2–3 January, Beckenham Junction services will only run between Tulse Hill and Beckenham Junction.
- 27–31 December 2025: No Thameslink trains between London Blackfriars and Bellingham, or between London Blackfriars and Sutton via Mitcham Junction/Wimbledon.
- 4 January 2026: Buses replace trains between Purley and East Grinstead, and between Oxted and Uckfield. London Victoria–Reigate trains will only run between Redhill and Reigate. No Thameslink trains between London Blackfriars and Sutton/Wimbledon.
Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex Route Director, Network Rail Southern Region, explained:
"The festive period gives us a rare chance to make the most of lower passenger numbers to carry out vital work on the railway.”
“The areas of track and infrastructure being worked on this Christmas are normally some of the busiest sections of railway in the country, so we will make the most of this window of opportunity to work while the railway is closed, as we aim to give passengers safer and more reliable journeys.
"I would like to thank passengers for their patience while these works are carried out and I would also like to thank our teams, who will be working hard throughout the festive period to deliver these railway improvements."
Image credit: iStock
