Trains are once again running through to Portsmouth Harbour following the completion of a major phase of infrastructure upgrades on the Portsmouth Direct Line by Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR).
Over a five‑day closure during the May half‑term, engineers delivered a significant package of work designed to improve the long‑term resilience of the railway on the south coast. The programme also marked the next step forward in the £120 million Havant re‑signalling scheme, one of the most significant modernisation projects on the route in decades.
Progress on the Havant Re‑signalling Programme
Work to renew signalling across the Havant and Portsmouth area began in March 2026, targeting ageing assets that have become increasingly unreliable. Over the past year alone, signalling failures in the area have been responsible for more than 18,500 minutes of train delays.
The Havant re‑signalling programme represents a £120 million investment in the Portsmouth Direct Line, building on the £129 million Farncombe to Petersfield re‑signalling scheme. When the project is completed in 2028, control of signalling will transfer from the Havant Area Signalling Centre to the Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre.
This move is expected to significantly improve coordination between Network Rail and South Western Railway teams, enabling faster decision‑making, improved incident response and more reliable day‑to‑day operations for passengers.
Following on from progress made during the Easter closure, the May half‑term blockade allowed engineers to continue preparatory works. These included laying materials in readiness for future stages of re‑signalling and carrying out vegetation management to support the installation of new equipment.
Further closures are planned for October 2026 and February 2027, when teams will return to continue the next phases of the programme.
Additional Improvements Delivered During the Closure
Alongside the re‑signalling work, engineers used the five‑day closure to complete a wide range of other critical upgrades across the route, including:
- The renewal of 18 wheel timbers on Portcreek viaduct. The new fibre‑reinforced foamed urethane (FFU) timbers offer a lifespan of up to 50 years, delivering greater durability and reducing long‑term maintenance requirements.
- Strengthening works to two bridges between Fratton and Portsmouth Harbour.
- Cleaning the glass on the high‑level platforms at Portsmouth & Southsea station.
- Renewal of three sets of switches and crossings in the Fratton area.
- Refurbishment of the footbridge at Fratton station.
In total, engineers completed approximately 1,660 hours of work during the closure. Once all phases of the programme are delivered, passengers are expected to see smoother journeys and a marked improvement in reliability across the line.
Network Rail has confirmed it will return in October to continue with the next phase of the Havant re‑signalling programme, with further details to be announced closer to the time.
Tom McNamee, Infrastructure Director, speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, said:
“Over the May half-term, we have continued to modernise signalling on the Portsmouth Direct Line, replacing ageing equipment in the Havant area that is increasingly prone to failure and can cause delays for passengers.
“We’ve renewed key components on Portcreek viaduct, where ageing wheel timbers needed to be replaced to prevent further unplanned closures.”
“We’re sorry for the inconvenience caused to passengers whilst we carried out these works. Network Rail and South Western Railway worked closely to plan the works and replacement services, helping passengers continue to complete their journeys while we deliver these upgrades.”
Image & Video credits: Network Rail
