Network Rail are delivering a bumper programme of upgrade works improving track and signalling on south London lines leading into London Victoria, with further works planned to continue over the remainder of the years.
The initial track and signalling works, intended to provide more reliable journeys for passengers travelling to and from London Victoria, have been going on during May and June 2021.
Those works are set to continue on June 27, 2021 with more planned works intended in the autumn and winter.
The upgrade works are being delivered as part of the wider Victoria phase 3 re-signalling project; a major project being carried out by Network Rail to upgrade the 1980s signalling and key sections of track on the lines between London Victoria, Clapham Junction and Streatham.
So far, the improvement works have been the switches and crossings at Balham North Junction and Falcon Junction (Clapham) replaced with new, more reliable equipment.
Progress has also been made on preparatory works for the switching-on of the new signalling system, as well as the recontrol of the area to the state-of-the-art Three Bridges Rail Operation Centre.
This has included meeting all key milestones for power and fibre cables, elevated cable routes, gantry foundation piles and signalling equipment cases.
Shaun King, Network Rail Route Director for Sussex, said: “We’d like to thank those passengers travelling over May for their patience while we worked to upgrade and modernise the infrastructure on this part of the network to give passengers better, more reliable journeys.
"Passengers will see immediate benefits from our work to improve drainage and track, with further improvements to come once the new signalling comes into use in 2023”.
Chris Fowler, Customer Services Director for Southern, added: “On behalf of our current and returning passengers, we thank Network Rail for progressing these vital signalling and drainage upgrades right on schedule.
“This coming Sunday there will be no Southern trains between Victoria and East Croydon, so if you do need to travel, please check your route in advance. You can be assured we’re working hard with our railway partners to keep rail travel safe, while we build a better all-round experience for our customers.”
