News Releases

• 
  17 Aug 2026

  COMPLETED: London Charing Cross and Waterloo East reopen after railway carries out £20million programme of engineering work

  • Passengers thanked after 22-day closure that saw services diverted into other London terminals, and changes across the Southeastern network
  • Engineers replaced nearly 2km of 36-year-old track between Charing Cross and Waterloo East
  • Charing Cross platforms renewed and station improvements carried out at Waterloo East
• 
  13 Aug 2026

  Southeastern to roll out more than 200 new ticket machines as part of £9 million customer experience upgrade

  • More than 200 new Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) to be introduced across the network, replacing machines that are in some cases more than 20 years old 

  • New machines will provide a more modern, accessible and reliable customer experience, including high-contrast displays and adjustable-height screens 

  • Investment also includes upgraded ticket office technology and new handheld devices for frontline colleagues, as part of Southeastern's £9 million wider investment in stations, trains, digital services and infrastructure 
• 
  27 Jul 2026

  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

  • 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
• 
  20 Jul 2026

  Rail Minister returns to Hither Green one year after launch of Britain's first in a new era of Integrated Railways
• 
  16 Jul 2026

  East Sussex communities invited to name new Bayeux Tapestry-inspired train

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

  • Four names inspired by the Battle of Hastings shortlisted for public vote 

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