Buses replace trains on the Havant line over October half-term
Network Rail has announced a five-day closure from 26 to 30 October 2026 for Havant re-signalling, with Waterloo services ending at Petersfield and further bus replacements either side.
Network Rail has published details of essential signalling and infrastructure work in the Havant area during the October half-term, which will change train services on the Portsmouth Direct line for more than a week.
What is changing
The main closure runs from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026. Network Rail says South Western Railway services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour will terminate at Petersfield, and Southern services will terminate at Chichester. Replacement buses will run between Petersfield and Portsmouth Harbour, between Chichester and Portsmouth Harbour, and between Chichester and Southampton Central. Network Rail says other services will continue around the affected area but journeys may be different.
There are changes on either side of the main blockade. On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, buses will replace trains between Havant and Southampton Central, and on the Sunday buses will also run between Guildford and Petersfield. On Saturday 31 October, Waterloo services will terminate at Haslemere with buses between Haslemere and Havant. On Sunday 1 November they will terminate at Guildford with buses between Guildford and Havant. National Rail lists the 31 October and 1 November works as closing all lines between Guildford or Petersfield and Havant.
The stretch between Petersfield and Havant includes Rowlands Castle, although Network Rail's page does not name the station, so check the details for your own journey.
Why it is happening
Network Rail says the work is part of its £120 million Havant re-signalling programme, which will replace ageing signalling and interlocking equipment and move control of the railway to its Basingstoke Regional Operational Centre. Havant and Bedhampton level crossings will be closed from 05:00 on Monday 26 October until 21:00 on Friday 30 October, and the footbridge at Havant station will be removed. Further work will take place around Liphook, Petersfield and Liss.
Plan your journey on National Rail Enquiries or with your train operator. Full details are on Network Rail's Havant re-signalling page, and its 24-hour helpline is 03457 11 41 41.