Redhill Christmas 2026 improvements

We will be carrying out essential work from 20 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 to to replace the switches and crossings at Redhill station.

What work is taking place?

Network Rail will carry out a programme of railway improvements, maintenance and renewals on the line through Redhill this Christmas.

As part of this work, new switches and crossings (points) will be installed at Redhill to renew life-expired track infrastructure and improve the long-term reliability of the route.

Renewing more than a mile of track and associated infrastructure requires an extended closure of the railway. The work has therefore been scheduled over the Christmas period, when passenger numbers are typically lower, helping to minimise disruption.

To make the best use of this access to the railway, we will also deliver a range of additional improvement and maintenance activities, reducing the need for future disruption and helping to provide a more reliable railway for passengers.

The work includes:

Track renewal

At Redhill we will install new switches and crossings (the equipment that allows trains to move from one track to another) along more than a mile of railway. We’ll also replace two sections of railway track with new rail, sleepers and ballast to improve reliability and reduce future maintenance.

Routine railway maintenance

Between Merstham and Redhill, we will carry out inspections and essential maintenance to keep the railway operating safely and reliably. This includes replacing worn track timbers, testing rails for internal defects using specialist equipment, and carrying out minor repairs where required.

Signalling maintenance

Between Merstham and Redhill, we will maintain signalling equipment including signals, track circuits, points (railway switches), equipment cabinets and level crossings.

When is the work taking place?

Passengers should check before they travel between 20 December 2026 and 3 January 2027, as services through Redhill will be affected.

How will this work affect me?

Replacement bus services will operate between Purley, Redhill, Reigate and Horley; between Redhill and Tonbridge; and between Reigate, Redhill and Gatwick Airport.

Please check before you travel at National Rail or with your train operator.

We recognise this period includes Christmas shoppers and people travelling to visit family and friends, so we are asking everyone travelling through Redhill to plan their journey and check before they travel, not just regular commuters.

We understand that these works will cause disruption, and we thank passengers for their patience while we deliver improvements that will provide a more reliable railway for years to come.

Car park changes at Redhill

Car parking at Redhill station will be very limited during this period. Car park 2 will be closed from 20 December to 4 January 2027 to allow us to set up a site compound for the works. Additionally, the car park at the front of the station will also be closed from 22:00 on Thursday 17 December through to 23:59 on Sunday 3 January to get ready for and then to facilitate the safe operation of rail replacement vehicles.

Subway closure

From 00:01 Sunday 20 December to 00:59 Tuesday 29 December 2026 the subway between Marketfield Way and Redstone Hill under the train line will be closed. This is to facilitate work on the track safely.

Why is the work needed?

Network Rail is investing in the reliability on this stretch of railway so that services run better in future; this means concentrated disruption over a defined period rather than multiple weekends. All the works are to improve the rail network to improve reliability and reduce future delays for passengers.

Switches and crossings allow us to run a network, but they have an especially limited lifespan because trains cause wear and tear when they travel across them. We also refurbish or renew the track when it reaches its life expectancy and maintenance is expensive or ineffective.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please call our dedicated 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or visit our contact us page.