Passengers using one of the busiest sections of the South Eastern Railway network are being urged to plan ahead this summer, as London Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations close for 22 consecutive days to enable a £20 million programme of essential railway upgrades.
The closure will run from Sunday 26 July to Sunday 16 August 2026, with additional preparatory and follow‑up weekend closures either side. During this period, no trains will call at London Charing Cross or Waterloo East, allowing engineers to complete a concentrated package of work aimed at improving long‑term reliability and safety.
The investment will see nearly two kilometres of 36‑year‑old track replaced, sections of platform rebuilt at Charing Cross, and drainage systems upgraded to improve resilience in wet weather. Structural repairs will also be carried out on the Waterloo East to London Waterloo pedestrian link bridge and the Hungerford Bridge, which carries the railway across the Thames into Charing Cross.
South Eastern Railway says the works will modernise critical infrastructure on a key London commuter corridor, helping to reduce failures and deliver a more reliable service for passengers across Kent, south east London and beyond.
Why a 22‑Day Closure?
Rather than spreading disruption across multiple weekends, the operator has opted for a single extended closure supported by limited additional works either side.
Scott Brightwell, Train Services Director, South Eastern Railway, said:
“By consolidating the work into 22 day closure, supported by preparation and follow up weekends, we can complete the work more quickly and with less disruption overall than the alternative options of 60 weekend closures or four to five 9-day closures.
“We have planned the closure for the summer, when passenger numbers are around 20 per cent lower and schools are closed, to help manage the impact on customers.”
Where Trains Will Run Instead
While Charing Cross and Waterloo East are closed, Southeastern services that normally operate into Charing Cross will be diverted to alternative London terminals, including:
- London Victoria
- London Cannon Street
- London Blackfriars
- London Bridge, where some services will terminate
Customers will be able to use their tickets on alternative rail routes, London Underground and London Buses at no extra cost, with passengers also encouraged to walk or cycle for shorter journeys where possible.
Line‑by‑Line Service Changes
A wide range of timetable and routing changes will be in place across the network:
- Woolwich Line services will continue into Cannon Street, with revised peak timings and some diversions via Blackheath.
- Bexleyheath Line trains will run between Cannon Street and Barnehurst and between Victoria and Gravesend, with additional peak Cannon Street services.
- Sidcup Line services normally skipping Lewisham will instead run via Lewisham and terminate at London Bridge.
- Hayes Line trains will operate to London Bridge or Blackfriars, with revised fast and stopping patterns.
- Grove Park Line services to Orpington and Sevenoaks will terminate at London Bridge, with some diversions via Lewisham.
- Bromley South Line Victoria to Orpington services will run every 30 minutes instead of every 15.
- Maidstone East Line Charing Cross services will operate to Victoria, calling additionally at Bromley South.
- Paddock Wood & Hastings Lines will run to and from London Bridge, with some Tunbridge Wells services diverted to Victoria.
- Medway Valley, Sheerness and Highspeed services via Ashford and Gravesend will operate as normal.
Passengers are advised to check journey planners in advance and allow extra time, particularly during peak periods.
Image credit: Network Rail
