Rail services across south London and the wider network will face major disruptions over the festive period due to essential engineering works, with Network Rail carrying out upgrades aimed at improving reliability and safety.
From December 27, 2025, to January 4, 2026, South Bermondsey station will be closed for a full platform rebuild, and no Southern trains will stop there during this time.
Passengers are advised to use the London bus services instead.
Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Gatwick Express, Southern, and Thameslink, said: “With Christmas just around the corner, I would like to urge all our passengers to please check online now and plan ahead for the changes being made to our services during the festive season.”
In Croydon, conductor rail replacement works will take place at East Croydon.
Heavy maintenance is also scheduled at vital rail junctions in Gatwick and Three Bridges.
From January 1 to January 4, 2026, buses will replace Southern trains between London Bridge and Tulse Hill via South Bermondsey and Peckham Rye.
On January 2 and 3, services to Beckenham Junction will only operate between Tulse Hill and Beckenham Junction.
No Thameslink trains will run between London Blackfriars and Bellingham, and between London Blackfriars and Sutton via Mitcham Junction or Wimbledon, from December 27 to December 31.
Replacement buses will operate between London Bridge and Bromley South via Bellingham.
Rail tickets will be accepted on London Bus, Tram, and Underground services during the disruption.
On January 4, buses will replace trains between Purley and East Grinstead, and between Oxted and Uckfield.
Trains between London Victoria and Reigate will operate only between Redhill and Reigate.
Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex route director for Network Rail’s Southern region, said: “The festive period gives us a rare chance to make the most of lower passenger numbers to carry out vital work on the railway.
“The areas of track and infrastructure being worked on this Christmas are normally some of the busiest sections of railway in the country, so we will make the most of this window of opportunity to work while the railway is closed, as we aim to give passengers safer and more reliable journeys.”
Ms McAuliffe said: “I would like to thank passengers for their patience while these works are carried out and I would also like to thank our teams, who will be working hard throughout the festive period to deliver these railway improvements.”
No trains will run on Christmas Day, and only a limited service will operate on Boxing Day on some Southern routes.
