Havant re-signalling works – October 2026
We’re carrying out essential signalling and infrastructure work in the Havant area during the October half-term.
The work is part of our £120 million Havant re-signalling programme, the next phase of the wider Portsmouth Direct Upgrade.
The main closure takes place from Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026, with additional work and changes to train services before and after the main blockade.
How will this affect my journey?
Travel will be affected at different times between Saturday 24 October and Sunday 1 November, with the biggest changes taking place during the main five-day blockade from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October.
The information below sets out how services and replacement buses will operate during the line closures, so please check before you travel.
Monday 26 to Friday 30 October – main blockade
SWR services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour will terminate at Petersfield.
GTR/Southern services will terminate at Chichester.
Replacement buses will operate on the following routes:
- Petersfield – Portsmouth Harbour
- Chichester – Portsmouth Harbour
- Chichester – Southampton Central
Other services will continue to operate around the affected area, but journeys may be different.
Other travel changes
There are also changes to services immediately before and after the main blockade.
Saturday 24 October
Replacement buses will operate between Havant and Southampton Central.
Sunday 25 October
Replacement buses will operate between Havant and Southampton Central, with buses also running between Guildford and Petersfield.
Saturday 31 October
SWR services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour will terminate at Haslemere.
Replacement buses will operate between Haslemere and Havant.
Sunday 1 November
SWR services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour will terminate at Guildford.
Replacement buses will operate between Guildford and Havant.
For the latest travel information, visit National Rail Enquiries or your train operator.
What are we doing?
The Havant Relock & Recontrol project, the main reason for the blockade, will replace ageing signalling and interlocking equipment in the Havant area and modernise the way the railway is controlled.
Control of the railway will move from Havant Area Signalling Centre to our Basingstoke Regional Operational Centre (ROC).
The work includes:
- installing 61 axle counters (equipment that detects when trains enter and leave sections of track)
- installing 23 automatic warning system (AWS) and nine train protection and warning system (TPWS) components, which provide drivers with warnings and help to keep the railway safe
- refurbishing cable routes and installing new fibre and power cabling to provide the connections needed for the signalling system
- installing new signalling equipment and associated infrastructure
- carrying out testing and preparatory work for the wider re-signalling programme
- carrying out track, third rail, switch, level crossing and other infrastructure maintenance while the railway is closed
Other work taking place
The main Havant re-signalling work is being delivered alongside other essential railway improvements and maintenance across the route, allowing us to complete additional work while the railway is closed.
Chichester and Fishbourne
At Fishbourne, we’ll renew the track by replacing all three main track components – the rails, sleepers and ballast.
Havant station
The existing pedestrian footbridge at Havant station will be removed during the blockade, using large cranes to lift out the bridge in sections.
Havant and Bedhampton level crossings
Havant level crossing and Bedhampton level crossing will both be closed from 05:00 on Monday 26 October until 21:00 on Friday 30 October to allow the signalling, track and infrastructure works to be completed safely.
Petersfield, Liss and Liphook
Further work will take place around Liphook, Petersfield and Liss, including track renewal and re-railing, signalling and cable work, level crossing works, a tunnel examination, vegetation clearance and other track and infrastructure maintenance.
Why do we need to close the railway?
Some of the work can only be completed safely when trains are not running.
Bringing the signalling, track and infrastructure work together during a planned closure means we can complete more work at the same time and reduce the need for further closures in the future.
Contact us
Our work will mean increased activity near the railway, including engineering vehicles, equipment deliveries and teams working at different locations and times along the route.
We’ll try to minimise the disruption to our neighbours while we work.
If you have a question about our work, you can contact our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.