Dear Stakeholders,

Line Closure – Reading to Bracknell and Guildford  - Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 February, with extensions to the line closure to Ascot and Aldershot during some weekends  

We are writing to let you know that 9-days of consecutive work will begin between Reading, Bracknell and Guildford during the February half term, part of phase 5 commissioning of the Feltham to Wokingham Resignalling Programme.

During this time, Network Rail engineers will be completing resignalling work in the Wokingham area, installing 43 new signals (traffic lights for the railway). These signals are currently controlled from the Wokingham signal box and will be transferred to Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre.

The project team are also upgrading 4 level crossings at Wokingham station and Easthampstead Road on Star Lane. At Star Lane, engineers will complete work to modernise the level crossings, installing new equipment that will extend the life of the crossing by 30 years.

At Wokingham manually controlled barriers will be upgraded with CCTV monitors helping to keep railway and road users safe.     

Whilst the railway is closed, engineers will also be working at Wokingham Junction to upgrade switches and crossings, these vital points are essential for enabling trains to switch tracks safely. We will also complete routine maintenance and structure examination to make the most use of the railway being closed for 9 days.

What do you need to know?

Buses will replace trains during the line closure and passengers should check before they travel as there will be changes to services: 

• Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 February buses replace trains between Reading to Bracknell and Guildford

• On Saturday 11 and Saturday 17 February (after 19:30) buses will be running from Reading to Ascot and Guildford.

• On Saturday 17 February (before 19:30) buses are running from Reading to Bracknell and Guildford   

• On Sunday 18 February buses will be running from Reading to Ascot and Guildford and will also be running from Aldershot to Guildford

There will also be several road closures during the works near Wokingham and Star Lane, to enable upgrades at the level crossings.

This work is part of the wider Feltham to Wokingham Resignalling scheme, a project started in 2019 that will see upgrades to 80 miles of railway and 500 separate pieces of signalling equipment, on key areas of the SWR network.

Posters are currently advertising the closure in stations, and a marketing campaign is underway including digital display information and updates on social media. It would be appreciated if you were to share this information to make the public more aware. 

Kind regards,

Network Rail Southern Region Stakeholder Team