As the Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre (ROC) marks a decade of operations, Network Rail has delivered one of the most significant signalling investments ever made on the Portsmouth Direct Line—a £129 million upgrade between Farncombe and Petersfield.
Opened in November 2015, the Basingstoke ROC has steadily expanded its control across the Wessex route. Its latest milestone sees it take over signalling responsibilities between Farncombe and Petersfield, replacing several ageing signal boxes with state-of-the-art technology. The move is expected to enhance reliability and resilience for passengers and operators alike.
The upgrade was completed during a nine-day blockade between Guildford and Havant, with services resuming on Monday 3 November. During this period, engineers commissioned 90 new signals and activated 17 new signalling equipment buildings. Nine level crossings were also modernised, with the final site at Farncombe West scheduled for completion on 13 November.
Safety and visibility improvements were a key focus of the works, which included:
- Replacing older automatic half-barrier crossings with modern barriers equipped with obstacle-detection technology.
- Upgrading nine level crossings with CCTV and obstacle-detection systems to enhance safety and give signallers improved line-of-sight.
- Enhancing two footpath crossings to provide safer access for local users.
Tom Desmond, Operations Director for Network Rail and South Western Railway, commented:
“Since early 2022, we’ve been delivering a major programme of upgrades along the Portsmouth Direct Line. This £129 million investment brings the route firmly into the modern era, with new signalling and safer level crossings that will make journeys more reliable and reduce the need for future closures. We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this long-term work was completed to improve journeys between Portsmouth and London.”
The Farncombe–Petersfield scheme is a cornerstone of the broader Portsmouth Direct Upgrade—a once-in-a-generation modernisation of the line between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour. For rail professionals, it represents a major step forward in operational efficiency, safety, and futureproofing one of the South’s key intercity routes.
Image and video credit: Network Rail
