Commuters and travellers using London Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations are facing significant disruption as both transport hubs are currently shut for a 22-day period. The closure, which began on 26 July and is scheduled to last until 16 August, is part of a substantial £20 million programme of track, platform, and structural upgrades, according to Southeastern Railway.
This extensive refurbishment, described by Southeastern as a "once-in-a-generation" project, is primarily driven by the need to replace ageing track infrastructure. The current track, last updated in the early 1990s, has become increasingly unreliable, leading to over 350 hours of customer delays recently. Without this intervention, Southeastern warns, faults and delays would continue to escalate, causing further frustration for passengers.
Key improvements during the closure include the installation of 1,800 metres of new track, upgraded track drainage at Waterloo East, and rebuilt platforms at Charing Cross. Additionally, structural repairs are being carried out on the 175-year-old Hungerford Bridge, which is vital for railway access to the stations.
During the closure, Southeastern services that would normally terminate at Charing Cross are being diverted to other major London stations, including London Victoria, London Cannon Street, and London Blackfriars. Some services will also terminate at London Bridge. To mitigate the impact on passengers, tickets are being accepted on reasonable alternative routes, including the London Underground, Thameslink services between Elephant and Castle, London Bridge, and St Pancras International, and Southern services to and from London Bridge and Victoria.
Southeastern has stated that timing the work during the school holidays, when commuter numbers are approximately 20% lower, allows for safer and more reliable movement of people via these alternative routes. Passengers can claim refunds for all ticket types using a form available since 26 July. Further, additional closures affecting both stations are planned for 22 and 23 August, and again on 10 and 11 October, for continued works.