Railway passengers from Basingstoke are being advised to check their travel plans over the Christmas and New Year period as major engineering works are being planned during the festive time.

Network Rail has revealed it will deploy tens of thousands of engineers nationwide, working around the clock to improve the railway’s reliability and efficiency.

Key upgrades on the Wessex route—which serves Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Dorset, Devon, Somerset, and Wiltshire—are expected to cause significant changes to services in the south west, with buses replacing trains on some lines and longer journey times expected for others.

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Major engineering works will be carried out at Brookwood Junction, affecting travel between Basingstoke, Woking, and London Waterloo.

From December 15 to January 5 services will see bus replacements and diversions.

Key disruptions include:

Sunday, December 15: Buses replace trains between Basingstoke and Aldershot to Woking.

Monday, December 16 to Sunday, December 22: Re-timed services; no rail replacement buses.

Monday, December 23 to Friday, January 3: Buses replace trains between Farnborough and Aldershot to Woking.

Saturday, January 4: Buses replace trains between Aldershot and Basingstoke to Woking.

Sunday, January 5: Buses replace trains between Andover, Winchester, Aldershot, and Woking.

Monday, January 6: Services return to normal.

The disruptions also mean services between Exeter/Salisbury and London Waterloo will not run directly, while Southampton/Weymouth trains will be diverted, adding up to 45 minutes to journeys.

No trains will operate between Guildford and Farnham during this period.

The upgrades at Brookwood Junction will include renewing switches and crossings—critical for trains to change tracks—and strengthening embankments at Ashmead and Hook to prevent landslips.

Maintenance teams will conduct tamping between Hook and Farnborough to improve track alignment.

Drainage improvements near the Basingstoke Canal will also be completed, with new pipes and catch-pits installed to reduce flooding risks.

Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “Passengers are advised to plan ahead this Christmas as we carry out these essential improvement works. Our teams will be working round the clock over the festive period to upgrade the railway for our passengers so they can benefit from smoother and more reliable journeys.”

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Peter Williams, customer and commercial director for South Western Railway, said: “Major engineering work in the Brookwood area, near Woking, will affect travel between London Waterloo and destinations such as Exeter, Salisbury, Southampton, and Weymouth. We recommend checking journey planners now and thank passengers for their patience.”

Jordan Welsby, GWR station manager, said: “Rail replacement services will be provided, and rail tickets can also be used on local buses. Customers should be aware these alternative travel arrangements will make journey times much longer, so check before you travel.”

Railways passengers are encouraged to consult journey planners and check with train operators before traveling to ensure smooth journeys during the festive period.