News Releases

• 
  09 Jul 2026

  Sara Pascoe launches free reading activities for kids across UK train network this summer

   

  • 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

   

• 
  02 Jul 2026

  Southeastern sets out social mobility impact report ‘On Track to Opportunity’ as data reveals sharp inequalities across the South East

  • 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
• 
  29 Jun 2026

  Major London stations close as railway carries out £20m upgrade this summer

  • 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
• 
  25 Jun 2026

  Southeastern extends advice to avoid non essential travel as extreme heat continues across Kent and the South East

  • 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
• 
  23 Jun 2026

  Southeastern urges customers to only travel if absolutely necessary during record heatwave

  • Met Office red weather warning in place with extreme temperatures  

  • 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 
• 
  14 May 2026

  Southeastern delivers May timetable improvements with more capacity on busiest routes

  • 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
• 
  13 May 2026

  Charing Cross and Waterloo East to close for 22 days for £20m railway upgrade

   

  • 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.

   

• 
  11 May 2026

  Community projects share £200,000 Southeastern fund

  • Grants up to £50,000 awarded to 14 community projects across south east London, Kent and East Sussex 
  • Southeastern's Customer and Community Improvement Fund targets social mobility and inequality 
  • Fund has now supported 38 projects worth £700,000 since launching three years ago 
• 
  07 May 2026

  THREE WEEKS TO GO: Buses replace trains between Ashford and Borough Green & Wrotham for nine days as major improvement work takes place

  • Nine-day closure from 23 to 31 May between Ashford International, Maidstone East and Borough Green & Wrotham, with buses replacing trains
  • Essential engineering works to improve long-term reliability, including track renewals, drainage upgrades and stabilising ageing rock cuttings
  • Customers advised to plan ahead and allow extra time, with accessible replacement buses operating throughout the closure

   

• 
  30 Apr 2026

  Southeastern first in UK to automate real-time timetable change updates for every train

  • Southeastern introduces automated system to deliver station-by-station, train-by-train planned timetable change information 

  • New technology gives customers better and more timely access to information

  • System to be made available to other train operating companies across the network