Network Rail will carry out major engineering works across Sussex and south London railways during Christmas and New Year 2025/26, bringing significant disruption to services for thousands of festive travellers.
The rail operator has scheduled the substantial upgrades during the holiday period when passenger numbers typically drop, but the scale of work means unavoidable changes to services across one of Britain's busiest commuter networks.
Commuters and families travelling during the festive break will face altered timetables, with specific details of affected lines and replacement bus services to be announced closer to the dates. Network Rail issued the early warning to give passengers time to plan alternative arrangements.
The works will include track renewals, signal upgrades and bridge maintenance across the network, which handles hundreds of thousands of daily journeys between London and the South Coast. Such infrastructure projects are essential for maintaining safety standards and improving long-term reliability on routes that have suffered repeated delays.
The investment forms part of ongoing efforts to modernise Britain's Victorian-era railway infrastructure and increase capacity for growing passenger numbers. The upgrades aim to create a more resilient transport network capable of handling future demand from commuters and freight services.
Passengers are advised to check National Rail Enquiries and train operator websites before travelling during the 2025/26 holiday period. Early planning will be crucial to avoid disruption, with bus replacement services likely on affected routes.