Passengers are being urged to plan ahead this summer as train services across the Southeastern network change significantly during a 22‑day programme of engineering work in central London.
From Sunday 26 July to Sunday 16 August 2026, London Charing Cross and Waterloo East will close to Southeastern services while a £20 million upgrade is delivered to track, platforms and structures in and around the stations. Additional weekend closures will take place before and after the main works.
During this period:
- Trains that usually run into Charing Cross will be diverted into other London stations
- Services across the Southeastern network will run to different times, with some services running less often
- The times of first and last trains will change over the 22 days
Customers are strongly advised to plan ahead and check their full journey before travelling, including their last train before travelling.
No trains will call at Charing Cross or Waterloo East during the closure. Services that usually run into Charing Cross will be diverted to London Victoria, London Cannon Street, London Blackfriars or London Bridge.
The work will see engineers replace nearly two kilometres of 36-year-old track, rebuild sections of platform at Charing Cross, upgrade drainage systems and carry out structural repairs to the Waterloo East to London Waterloo pedestrian link bridge and Hungerford Bridge. Delivering this work in one extended closure avoids a much longer period of repeated weekend disruption.
Scott Brightwell, Safety, Planning and Performance Director, South Eastern Railway, said:
“The £20 million investment we are delivering will see 1990s track and platforms upgraded to make journeys safer and more reliable, and Victorian-era structures strengthened to remain fit for the future.
“Services will run very differently during the closure, with changes to routes, frequencies and train times across the network.
“We’re asking customers to plan ahead, check before they travel, and make sure they know there last train home.”
Customers can plan their journeys using the Southeastern journey planner or at www.nationalrail.co.uk and are encouraged to check before they travel. Customers travelling within London should also check TfL services.
No trains will call at Charing Cross or Waterloo East stations on the following dates:
- Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July
- Sunday 26 July to Sunday 16 August – 22‑day closure
- Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August
- Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October
Customers should be aware that service patterns on the preparation and follow‑up weekends may differ from the main closure and are encouraged to check before travelling.
