• The latest track and signalling improvements are part of two major projects to provide a more reliable railway for South Western Railway and Southern customers 
• Improvement work took place between Saturday 24 October and Sunday 1 November, affecting train services through Havant  

One of the busiest areas on the South Western Railway (SWR) network and Network Rail Wessex received an upgrade in the October half-term. 

During the October half-term, engineers continued a major project to reduce signalling failures in the Havant area, while carrying out vital maintenance to improve reliability between Liphook and Petersfield. 

The latest round of improvements took place between Saturday 24 October and Sunday 1 November in Havant, the busy corridor that connects Guildford with Portsmouth and Chichester with Southampton. Buses replaced both SWR and Southern services in these areas.

61 new axle counters, vital equipment that tells signallers where trains are on the network, were installed as part of the Havant resignalling programme, alongside upgrades for important safety systems.  

Building on the Farncombe to Petersfield signalling upgrade completed in 2025, engineers installed new rails between Liphook and Petersfield, while upgrading signalling and cabling systems. 

Both projects were part of SWR and Network Rail Wessex’s £250 million investment to replace ageing track and signalling, and part of its wider plans to improve the reliability of the railway. 

Elsewhere, 183 metres of track were renewed in the Fishbourne area. Rails, sleepers and ballast were replaced to provide smoother and more comfortable journeys on Southern’s West Coastway route.  

George Murrell, Renewals Director for South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, said: 

“Reliable trains need reliable tracks and signals, which is why we invested in renewing and upgrading signalling systems on this key route. This was an important step for our £250 million project to improve our railway on the Portsmouth Direct Line and deliver the reliable service our customers deserve. 

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience whilst we carried out these works over the half term.”  

Jenny Saunders, Customer Service Director for Southern, said:  

“Vital resignalling work designed to give our passengers better, more reliable services, regrettably meant anyone travelling west of Chichester during the October half term had to use a rail replacement bus. 

 “I know that for some people this meant longer journeys and I’m sorry for the impact this had.”