South Eastern Railway has confirmed a 22‑day closure of Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations from Sunday 26 July to Sunday 16 August 2026, enabling a major package of essential engineering works. Despite the temporary closure, routes into London will remain open, with trains diverted and extensive alternative travel options available.
The railway operator is urging passengers to plan ahead, as journeys will look different and may take longer during the works. Comprehensive travel information, alternative route guidance and on‑the‑ground support teams will be provided before and throughout the closure.
What the Closure Means for Passengers
During the 22‑day programme:
- All Southeastern services normally running into Charing Cross will be diverted to London Victoria, London Cannon Street, London Blackfriars, and some will terminate at London Bridge.
- Ticket acceptance will be available across alternative rail routes, London Underground, and London Buses to maintain connectivity.
- South Eastern Railway will work with transport partners to promote walking, cycling and accessible routes, ensuring customers can complete their journeys smoothly.
Why the Work Is Needed
The closure enables the replacement of 1,800 metres of life‑expired track between Waterloo East and Charing Cross—last renewed in the early 1990s. With increasing unreliability and a spike in maintenance requirements, this section has contributed to hundreds of hours of delays in recent years.
Alongside the track renewal, the programme includes:
- Drainage upgrades at Waterloo East
- Structural repairs to Hungerford Bridge
- Additional improvement works currently being planned to maximise the value of the closure window
By carrying out all works in one block, South Eastern Railway aims to avoid years of disruptive weekend closures while accelerating delivery of reliability improvements.
Why a 22‑Day Continuous Closure?
Multiple delivery options were evaluated, including:
- 60 weekend closures across 14 months
- Four separate 9‑day closures spread over up to 16 months
Both were rejected due to greater long‑term disruption, increased cost and operational complexity. The chosen single summer closure—when passenger volumes are typically lower and customers have more flexibility—is considered the least disruptive approach.
Southeastern Railway's Statement
Scott Brightwell, Director of Operations and Safety, said:
“We know closing Charing Cross and Waterloo East for 22-days is a significant change and we’re sorry for the disruption it will cause. This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly. We’ve looked long and hard at every possible option and although none of them are without impact, a single summer closure is the least disruptive and most efficient way to carry out this vital work.
“This section of track is more than 35 years old and has caused thousands of minutes of delays for passengers in recent years.”
“By replacing it now, and combining that with platform, drainage and bridge works, we’re tackling the root causes of disruption in one go. This means fewer closures in the future and a more reliable railway for everyone who depends on these routes.
“We’re working closely with transport partners, local businesses and communities to keep people moving with ticket acceptance on alternative rail routes, London Underground and London Buses. We are committed to ensuring customers are informed, supported and cared for throughout the 22-day closure.”
Image credit: Network Rail
