Train passengers urged to plan ahead for Christmas
It’s as engineers prepare to carry out a number of upgrade projects
Passengers across Kent are asked to plan ahead this Christmas and New Year as rail upgrades are carried out.
Over the festive period, engineers will be working around the clock on a series of projects.
No Southeastern trains will run to or from London Victoria from Saturday 27th December to Wednesday 31st December. Network Rail will use the access to carry out power and signalling upgrades and replace worn rails.
From Thursday 1st January to Sunday 4th January 2026, London Charing Cross and London Waterloo East are closed while Network Rail carries out essential maintenance between the two stations.
On Thursday 1st and Sunday 4th January, London Cannon Street will also be closed, with a limited service running to/from London Bridge, with most services diverted to/from London Victoria.
From Saturday 27th December 2025 until Sunday 4th January 2026, South Bermondsey station will be closed as the station platforms are rebuilt. No Southern trains will call at the station during this period.
On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, when Southeastern’s network is closed, engineers are working across the network to complete maintenance, including replacing rails near Maidstone East, refurbishing the switches and crossings at Lee, and power supply improvements in the London Bridge area.
David Davidson, chief operating officer for the South Eastern Railway, said: “We use the time when the railway is quieter, and most commuters are away to get vital work done on the railway to give passengers safer and more reliable journeys.
“While most of the country’s railway is open for travel, we are advising people to plan ahead and check before they travel as there will be changes on some routes”.