London’s Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations will be closed from next month for essential upgrade works, causing rail disruption for commuters.
The two stations will close for a total of 22 days between July 26 and August 16, as well as for a few additional weekends, to carry out £20,000,000 worth of upgrades across both stations.
During the closure, no trains will serve either station and services will be diverted to other stations across London. Tickets will also be accepted on alternative routes.
Let’s take a look at what’s coming up and how you could best avoid the mayhem.
When are Charing Cross and Waterloo East closed?
The main closure for the two stations, which has been planned during the summer holidays to minimise disruption, will happen between Sunday, July 26 and Sunday, August 16.
However, the stations will also shut on several weekends on either side of the 22-day closure, including:
- Sunday, June 7
- Saturday, July 18
- Sunday, July 19
- Saturday, August 22
- Sunday, August 23
The stations are also set to close on the weekend of October 10 to 11.
Why are the stations closing?
The closure is part of a £20million railway upgrade being carried out by Southeastern Railway.
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Engineers need to replace around 1.2 miles of tracks on the 36-year-old line, which is used heavily. This can only be done when trains are not running.
The work also includes a revamp of sections of some platforms at Charing Cross and structural repairs on the pedestrian bridge between Waterloo East and Waterloo stations as well as the Hungerford Bridge, which takes trains over the Thames into Charing Cross.
How busy are Charing Cross and Waterloo East?
London Charing Cross recorded around 19.7 million journeys through its barriers in 2024/25, up from 17.7 million passengers the previous year.
The much smaller Waterloo East saw 6.8 million entries and exits in 2024/25.
They both pale in comparison to the UK’s busiest station, London Liverpool Street, which had 98 million journeys, followed by Waterloo with 70.4 million according to the latest figures.
Where are trains diverted to?
There will be no trains going to or departing from Charing Cross or Waterloo East, so passengers should plan.
Southeastern services will be diverted to London Victoria, Cannon Street, Blackfriars, and London Bridge.
Southeastern has warned passengers to expect diversions, amended timings, and cancellations, but there will be additional trains running on some lines during peak periods.
Passengers can use their tickets on alternative routes, including the London Underground and buses, at no extra cost.
Scott Brightwell, the train services director on the Southeastern Railway, said: ‘The £20 million investment we are delivering will see 1990s track and platforms upgraded to make journeys safer and more reliable, and Victorian-era structures strengthened to remain fit for the future.
‘By consolidating the work into a 22‑day closure, supported by preparation and follow‑up weekends, we can complete the work more quickly and with less disruption overall than the alternative options of 60 weekend closures or four to five 9-day closures.’
He added: ‘We have planned the closure for the summer, when passenger numbers are around 20 per cent lower and schools are closed, to help manage the impact on customers.’
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