Southeastern Media Centre - News

London Charing Cross and Waterloo East closes for 22 days as railway carries out £20millon programme of engineering work, but routes into London remain open

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 13:51:00 Z

Essential works will replace 36-year-old track, sections of platform and strengthening structures
Major changes will affect Southeastern services for 22 days this summer, with no trains at Charing Cross or Waterloo East and services diverted across London
Passengers urged to plan ahead and check before travelling, as timetables, service frequency and first and last train times will change

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 15:41:00 Z

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:23:00 Z

Communities invited to help choose the name of a Southeastern train linked to the story of 1066

Voting now open at Hastings and Battle stations, with around 10,000 votes available

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:38:00 Z

Free reading packs available on trains and at stations, helping keep children entertained on journeys this summer
Thousands of packs for ages 4–11, making train travel an easy, low-cost way to support reading and family time
Supports families facing summer boredom and cost pressures, with many parents looking for simple ways to keep children engaged

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 11:49:00 Z

New data reveals sharp inequalities across the South East
Report from publicly owned Southeastern and The Purpose Coalition sets out how the railway is supporting communities with connectivity, investment, jobs and partnerships
Report comes as Rail Industry launches Social Mobility Programme to positively impact thousands of lives every year by opening more opportunities

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:47:00 Z

Essential £20m upgrade to replace ageing track and strengthen structures, improving safety and reliability for customers
Upgrades bring major changes for 22 days this summer, with no Southeastern trains at Charing Cross or Waterloo East and services diverted across London
Plan ahead and check before you travel, as timetables, service frequency and first and last train times will change

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:59:00 Z

Advice to avoid non‑essential travel now extended to Friday 26 June due to continued high temperatures
High risk of disruption with services subject to short‑notice changes and longer journeys
Additional staff, water and support in place to help customers who need to travel to do so as safely as possible

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:34:00 Z

Customers are being urged to only take essential train journeys to, from or within areas affected by extreme heat 
Southeastern and Network Rail are putting additional staff, water and support in place to help customers travel as safely and comfortably as possible

Thu, 14 May 2026 14:56:00 Z

New timetable from 17 May brings more frequent services, extra space and better connections
Peak Blackfriars services reinstated and additional highspeed and Maidstone East services introduced to improve capacity and boost choice
Customers urged to check before they travel as some times, stopping patterns and train formations will change to improve performance

Wed, 13 May 2026 08:12:00 Z

A planned 22‑day closure (26 July–16 August 2026, plus additional weekends) will enable a £20m programme of essential upgrades at London Charing Cross and Waterloo East.
Engineers will replace life‑expired track and carry out platform, drainage and bridge repairs to improve reliability and reduce future disruption.
No trains will serve either station during the works, with services diverted to Victoria, Cannon Street and Blackfriars, and tickets accepted across alternative routes.