London train stations Waterloo East and Charing Cross are set to close within weeks for major upgrade works, threatening to cause travel disruption for a large part of the summer.

The £20,000,000 worth of upgrades will be carried out at both stations, which includes work on railway tracks, forcing the stations to close for a total of 22 days.

During the three-week closure, trains will not serve either station, and services will be diverted to other stations across London.

Want to find out when the stations will be closed and how they’ll affect your travel plans? Keep on reading!

When are the stations closed?

The two stations will face a main closure over the summer holidays, which was planned in an effort to minimise disruption.

The main closure period for both London Waterloo East and Charing Cross will be between Sunday, July 26 and Sunday, August 16.

However, the stations will also shut on several weekends on either side of the 22-day closure, including:

• Saturday, July 18
• Sunday, July 19
• Saturday, August 22
• Sunday, August 23
• Saturday, October 10
• Sunday, October 11

Network Rail has warned that the alternative service plans for the station closures on the above weekends may be different from the main 22-day closure, and it has urged everyone to check before travelling.

Why are the stations closing?

The station closures are part of a £20million railway upgrade being carried out by Southeastern Railway.

As part of the upgrade, engineers will install around 1.2 miles of new tracks as well as 16 sets of switches and crossings on the heavily used 36-year-old line, which can only be done when trains are not running.

According to Network Rail, the current tracks, which were last replaced in the early 1990s, are ‘increasingly unreliable’ and if untreated, would result in more faults and delays for commuters.

The country end of the platforms at Charing Cross, whose concrete surfaces are deteriorating, will be rebuilt with new foundations and surfaces to ‘keep them safe’ and open for passengers. Meanwhile, track drainage will be upgraded at Waterloo East.

Network Rail has also confirmed that structural repairs will be carried out on the Hungerford Bridge, which takes trains over the Thames. Work will also be carried out on the pedestrian link between Waterloo East and London Waterloo stations.

Where are trains diverted to?

As a result of the station closures, no trains will call at London Charing Cross or Waterloo East.

Instead, Southeastern services will be diverted to London Victoria, Cannon Street, Blackfriars, and London Bridge.

Southeastern has warned passengers to expect diversions, amended timings, and cancellations, but there will be additional trains running on some lines during peak periods.

Passengers can use their tickets on alternative routes, including the London Underground and buses, at no extra cost.

Network Rail has also encouraged those who are able to cycle or walk to complete shorter journeys to do so.

Scott Brightwell, the train services director on the Southeastern Railway, said: ‘The £20 million investment we are delivering will see 1990s track and platforms upgraded to make journeys safer and more reliable, and Victorian-era structures strengthened to remain fit for the future.

‘By consolidating the work into a 22‑day closure, supported by preparation and follow‑up weekends, we can complete the work more quickly and with less disruption overall than the alternative options of 60 weekend closures or four to five 9-day closures.’

He added: ‘We have planned the closure for the summer, when passenger numbers are around 20 per cent lower and schools are closed, to help manage the impact on customers.’