Portsmouth Direct Upgrade
We’re upgrading signalling and track on the line from Woking to Portsmouth Harbour, to improve reliability, journey times and potential capacity.
Between early 2022 and 2025 we’ll be carrying out a large programme of work which includes a major resignalling project, upgrades to level crossings and renewing sections of track and switches and crossings.
Work will be carried out on weekends and, in some cases, during weekday line closures. When we’re finished in 2025, our passengers can expect faster journeys, the potential for more train services, fewer delays and safer level crossings.
Farncombe to Petersfield Resignalling Scheme (F2P)
The majority of our improvements will be delivered through the F2P scheme, where the existing signalling system will be replaced with a modern equivalent.
Signalling between these two stations is controlled by signal boxes in Farncombe, Haslemere and Petersfield, using equipment dating back to the 1970s. As it nears 50 years of service, it is becoming less reliable and more difficult to maintain.
Under the F2P scheme we will install new, digital signalling technology and move control of the system to our Rail Operating Centre (ROC) in Basingstoke. The three signal boxes will then be decommissioned.
With the new signalling system installed, the line will be more reliable and we will be able to increase the future potential capacity of the line for train services.
Level crossing upgrades
12 level crossings along the route will also be either renewed or upgraded as part of the F2P scheme. We’ll be working on Hammer, Liss, Liss Common, Peasmarsh, Petersfield, Farncombe East, Farncombe West, Milford, Sheet, Shutters, Princes Bridge and Kingsfernsden level crossings.
We’ll change Automatic Half-Barrier (AHB) crossings to either Manually Controlled Barrier CCTV crossings (MCBs) or Obstacle Detection (OD) level crossings; upgrade lighting at existing MCB crossings; and install Miniature Stop Lights (MSLs) on selected footpath crossings. You can find out more about level crossings here.
As part of these upgrades, and as part of other projects, level crossings will need to be temporarily closed. Details can be found in the ‘level crossing closures’ section below.
Level crossing closures
During our improvements we will have to temporarily close some level crossings to road traffic. Closures will be advertised here. Please check back for updates.
Recent works
Contact us
For more information or to get in touch with us, please contact us by visiting our contact us page or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.