Warning over weekend rail disruption

Work on the lines in the Wokingham and Southampton areas means trains will be disrupted over the weekend

Train passengers have been urged to plan journeys in advance as lines at Southampton Central and Wokingham shut for weekend repairs.

Railway lines in both areas will be closed throughout Saturday and Sunday.

It means some train services will run on altered routes and buses will replace trains.

The works in Southampton will see track switches and crossings at Millbrook replaced and the track upgraded at Southampton Central station.

The closure of the lines in the Wokingham area mean London Waterloo to Reading services will terminate at Bracknell.

Replacement buses will run between Bracknell and Reading.

Beaulieu Road railway station will also be closed all weekend due to the work in Southampton.

The shut lines in the Southampton Central area will affect numerous routes including:

• London Waterloo - Weymouth

• Winchester - Southampton Central

• Southampton Central - Bournemouth

• Brockenhurst - Lymington

• Southampton Central - Portsmouth

A revised service will run between Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth

Commenting on the work in the Southampton area, a Network Rail spokesperson said: "Normally, work of this nature would be completed over one, longer closure, but this was not possible due to the need to maintain vital freight services during the week.

"We would like to apologise to any passengers in the Southampton area who may be disrupted by this work and thank them for their patience and understanding."

Network Rail said the work in Southampton would continue next weekend, 12-13 October.

Travellers are being urged to check their journey before they set off.