Portsmouth Direct Upgrade

We’re upgrading signalling and track from Woking to Portsmouth Harbour to improve reliability, journey times, and capacity.

From early 2022 to 2025, we will carry out a large programme of work. This includes a major resignalling project, upgrades to level crossings, and renewing sections of track and switches.

We will carry out work on weekends and, in some cases, during weekday line closures. When we finish in 2025, our passengers can expect faster journeys, more train services, fewer delays, and safer level crossings.

Farncombe to Petersfield Resignalling Scheme (F2P)

We will deliver most of our improvements through the F2P scheme, where we will replace the existing signalling system with a modern equivalent.

Signal boxes in Farncombe, Haslemere, and Petersfield control signalling between these two stations, using equipment from 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. We will then decommission the three signal boxes.

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 other projects, we will temporarily close level crossings. You can find details 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

To get in touch with us, please visit our contact us page or call our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.