The final phase of work to complete the GBP100million signalling upgrade in the Portsmouth area begins on 24 October 2007.

Work to bring the new signalling system into operation will take place between Wednesday 24 October and Sunday 28 October, after which services will return to normal and the enhanced system will start to deliver a better, more reliable train service.

This final testing represents the last stage of the major overhaul of the signalling system along a 50 mile section of the rail network in the Portsmouth area.

Network Rail Route Director David Pape said: “Previous issues that delayed this important and complex project have been resolved and we are now fully focussed on carrying out the final testing in order to finish the job and allow passengers to experience the full benefits of this scheme.”

A summary of line closures taking place during this period of work is as follows:

Wednesday 24 October
The lines between Fratton and Portsmouth Harbour will be closed all day
From 2100, this closure will be extended to Fareham, Petersfield and Chichester
Thursday 25 October
Lines in the Portsmouth area will be closed all day and no trains will run in the area bounded by Fareham, Petersfield, Chichester and Portsmouth Harbour
Buses will also replace trains between Haslemere and Portsmouth Harbour from late evening until end of service
Friday 26 October
Lines in the Portsmouth area will be closed all day and no trains will run in the area bounded by Fareham, Petersfield, Chichester and Portsmouth Harbour
Buses will also replace trains between Swanwick and Portsmouth Harbour and between Eastleigh and Portsmouth Harbour from late evening until end of service
Saturday 27 October
Lines in the Portsmouth area will be closed all day and no trains will run in the area bounded by Fareham, Petersfield, Chichester and Portsmouth Harbour
Sunday 28 October
Lines in the Portsmouth area will be closed all day. No trains will run in the area bounded by Swanwick, Eastleigh, Haslemere, Chichester and Portsmouth Harbour
For further travel advice and details of replacement bus services, passengers should consult train operators’ websites or call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50. It will also be necessary to undertake work at level crossings to enable Network Rail to bring them under the control of the new signalling system. Traffic control measures and closures will be implemented at these locations.
The following level crossings will be affected by closures:

Bedhampton Level Crossing: Closed from 0800 on 27 October to 0245 on 3 November
Havant New Lane Level Crossing: Closed from 2000 on 24 October to 0800 on 27 October
Cosham Level Crossing: Closed from 1800 on 25 October to 0400 on 29 October
Network Rail has worked with the relevant local authorities in organizing work at level crossings and will make every effort to keep disruption to a minimum.