Weekend Rail Engineering Works
Rail maintenance continues across the network this weekend. This summary helps you plan journeys for Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March 2026, highlighting the major closures and alternative routes.
Major Closures
Great Western Railway: Reading to Redhill
When: All day Saturday and Sunday
Impact: No trains between Reading and Guildford/Redhill. Buses replace services.
Journey time: Extended by 60-90 minutes
Alternative: Travel via London Paddington and Victoria for Surrey/Sussex destinations
London Overground: Richmond to Stratford
When: Sunday only
Impact: No service between Gunnersbury and Stratford. Replacement buses operate.
Journey time: Extended by 40-50 minutes
Alternative: Use District Line to central London, change for Central Line to Stratford
Southeastern: Lewisham to Dartford
When: Saturday and Sunday
Impact: Buses replace trains between Lewisham and Dartford via Bexleyheath
Alternative: Use route via Woolwich Arsenal (limited service) or bus routes 96, 422
Regional Engineering Works
Northern: Manchester to Stalybridge
When: Sunday only
Impact: No trains. Buses operate between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge
Affects: TransPennine Express services to Leeds/York (diverted via different route)
ScotRail: Glasgow Central to Edinburgh via Shotts
When: Saturday and Sunday
Impact: No service. Buses replace trains
Alternative: Use Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh services (unaffected)
Transport for Wales: Cardiff to Bridgend
When: Sunday only
Impact: Reduced service with buses replacing some trains
Affects: Services to Swansea and West Wales
Minor Disruptions
West Midlands Trains: Birmingham to Hereford
When: Sunday morning (08:00-12:00)
Impact: Reduced frequency, extended journey times
Reason: Track renewal work
Greater Anglia: Ipswich to Felixstowe
When: Saturday only
Impact: Buses replace trains
Duration: All day
Southern: Brighton to Lewes
When: Sunday only
Impact: Reduced service with single line working
Journey time: Extended by 15-20 minutes
Long-Distance Services
Avanti West Coast: London to Scotland
Normal service expected both days. No planned engineering works on the West Coast Main Line this weekend.
LNER: London to Edinburgh
Normal service with minor speed restrictions between York and Newcastle (adds 5-10 minutes).
CrossCountry: Birmingham to Manchester
Diverted route via Crewe on Sunday due to Stockport engineering works. Journey time extended by 20-30 minutes.
Eurostar and International
Normal service operating to Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. No engineering works affecting international services this weekend.
Planning Your Journey
Check before you travel:
- Use National Rail Enquiries journey planner for specific routes
- Allow extra time for replacement bus connections
- Consider alternative routes via London for cross-country journeys
Ticket acceptance:
- Train tickets valid on replacement buses
- Alternative route tickets accepted on different operators (check specific arrangements)
- Refunds available if journeys delayed by 15+ minutes (Delay Repay)
Next Weekend Preview (22-23 March)
Major works planned:
- East Coast Main Line (Peterborough to Doncaster)
- West Coast Main Line (Stafford to Crewe)
- Great Western Main Line (Reading to Swindon)
Significant disruption expected. Plan alternative travel for these routes.
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Live updates:
Sources:
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