Rail lines to close over bank holiday weekend

Services through Guildford will be affected over the August bank holiday weekend

Rail passengers in Surrey and Hampshire are being warned to plan ahead with engineering works set to close several routes over the August bank holiday weekend.

Network Rail has said that the line between Ascot, Guildford and Alton will be closed throughout the weekend, while the line linking Surbiton and Effingham Junction will also see no passenger train services.

On 23 and 25 August, buses will replace trains between Surbiton and Effingham Junction, while on 24 August, buses will replace trains between Guildford and Surbiton, via Effingham, and Leatherhead.

Network Rail Wessex route director Mark Goodall said: "We are grateful to our passengers for their patience."

The footbridge at Bentley station will be replaced over the August bank holiday weekend

On the line between Ascot/Guildford and Alton, Network Rail said it would replace the footbridge at Bentley station, between Farnham and Alton.

The old footbridge will be removed, with a crane lifting the new bridge into position.

Additionally, in the Ash Vale area, teams will be carrying out improvements to the electrical supply to the track and vegetation and litter will be cleared between Farnham and Alton.

Rail replacement bus services will run from Farnborough to Alton and also between Ascot and Guildford, Network Rail confirmed.

Buses will be running instead of trains in parts of Surrey and Hampshire

On the line between Surbiton and Effingham Junction, engineers will replace 14 wheel timbers - long blocks which support the track underneath - in the Cobham and Stoke D'Abernon area.

Network Rail said the new wheel timbers, which were produced from recycled material, have an extended lifespan of 50 years, were more durable and required less maintenance.

Teams are also carrying out improvements to the earthworks around the track in the Cobham area, including tree felling.

Other minor work will be taking place near Effingham Junction, Horsley, London Road (Guildford) and in Bookham Tunnel.

Mr Goodall added: "We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes, most of our route will remain open as usual, but some services will be affected so we're asking passengers to plan ahead and check before they travel."