Londoners are bracing themselves for a summer of disruption as two major railway stations are set to close for 22 days. Charing Cross and Waterloo East will shut their doors from July 26, 2026, until August 16, 2026, in preparation for a £20 million upgrade programme.
As part of the overhaul, Southeastern Railway will replace 1,800 metres of track, revamp drainage at Waterloo East station, and rebuild platforms at Charing Cross. The company's boss has hailed the project as “once-in-a-generation” work to secure the long-term integrity of London's railway infrastructure.
The closures have been timed to coincide with the summer holidays, when school numbers are lower and commuter volumes dip by around 20 per cent. Southeastern services will be diverted to other terminals – including Victoria, Cannon Street, Blackfriars, and Bridge – while some trains will terminate at London Bridge.
Passengers can claim refunds for their tickets or use them on alternative routes via the London Underground, Thameslink, or Southern services. However, recent figures reveal that Southeastern's current track, last replaced in the early 1990s, has been a source of significant frustration – with over 350 hours of delays caused by faults since January.
Additional preparatory and follow-up works mean trains won't stop at Charing Cross or Waterloo East on July 18-19, August 22-23, and October 10-11. Southeastern has warned that without the upgrade, delays would continue to rise, causing growing annoyance for commuters.
Tickets will be accepted on various alternative routes during the closure period. A claim form will also become available from July 26 for passengers seeking refunds on all ticket types.