Rail passengers travelling through Hampshire are being warned to allow extra time as late-night trains are replaced by buses between Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton and Portsmouth from Monday night.
Engineering work is taking place overnight between Basingstoke and Winchester from Monday 31 August until Wednesday 2 September, closing some railway lines and affecting services operated by South Western Railway and CrossCountry.
Replacement buses after 10.40pm
South Western Railway passengers will see the biggest changes after 10.40pm each night, when buses will replace trains between Basingstoke and Winchester, Eastleigh, Southampton Central and Portsmouth Harbour.
The engineering work affects services on routes between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour, Southampton Central, Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth, as well as services between Eastleigh and Bournemouth.
Passengers using replacement buses have been advised to allow additional time for their journeys, with National Rail warning that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual.
CrossCountry service also affected
CrossCountry passengers are also affected.
The 7.25pm Manchester Piccadilly to Southampton Central service will not call at Winchester or Southampton Airport Parkway during the engineering work.
Passengers travelling to those stations will be able to use South Western Railway’s replacement bus service from Basingstoke at no additional cost.
The buses will serve Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton Airport Parkway and Southampton Central.
Check before travelling
Passengers travelling late in the evening between Monday and Wednesday are being advised to check their journey before setting off, particularly if they are making onward connections.
Replacement bus pick-up and drop-off points can vary by station and passengers should check station signage or National Rail information before travelling.
The engineering work is scheduled to affect late-night services on Monday 31 August, Tuesday 1 September and Wednesday 2 September.
