Staines to Windsor improvement work
We are carrying out essential renewal work on the raiway between Staines and Windsor & Eton Riverside to improve reliability for passengers
What are we doing?
Between Monday 26 October and Sunday 1 November 2026 our engineers are carrying out essential maintenance and renewal work on the railway between Staines and Windsor & Eton Riverside.
These works will help us continue to deliver a safer, more reliable railway for passengers.
Our main pieces of work during this blockade will be:
- Renewing all 28 wheel timbers on Mustard Hill Bridge
- Renewing 30 long timbers (support multiple rails at junctions) in Datchet
- Refurbishing the switches and crossings at Staines
- Renewing parts of the track at Feltham Junction
How will this impact customers and the local community?
In order to complete our work safely, trains will not be running and a bus replacement service will run instead, as below:
- Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 – Staines to Windsor & Eton Riverside
- Saturday 31 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 – Hounslow to Virginia Water
Neighbours near to where we’re working may experience an increase in general construction noise, and an increased presence of railway workers. We will work to minimise disruption as much as possible, and will be in touch with residents closer to the time to provide more details.
Why is it important we do this work?
The wheeltimbers (the large wooden blocks that carry the rails over bridges) on Mustard Hill bridge are old and will soon not be able to support the fast and heavy trains that run over it. To run the railway safely, we would then need to reduce the speed of trains over the bridge, creating longer journeys and delays.
Renewing the wheeltimbers on the bridge will mean that trains can continue to run quickly and safely over the bridge.
At Staines, renewing the switches and crossings (which allow trains to change tracks) will reduce the risk of delays caused by faulty equipment.
Why are we closing the railway for a week?
Delivering this work as part of a single seven-day closure allows us to complete multiple jobs at once, rather than closing the railway on repeated weekends. This means less overall disruption for passengers and neighbours while upgrading the line to modern standards.
Safety, reliability and long-term resilience are at the heart of this programme, and we thank passengers and local communities for their patience while the work takes place.
Contact us
If you have questions about this work or other activity in your area, please see our contact us page or call our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.