Rail passengers in Portsmouth, Hampshire, face a week of disruption as all train services in and out of the city will be suspended from Monday 25 May to Friday 29 May 2026. Network Rail and South Western Railway have confirmed that the closure is necessary to carry out essential maintenance and signal upgrades across the local network.
During the five-day period, there will be no train services between Fareham and Portsmouth, or between Havant and Portsmouth. To help commuters and visitors navigate the area, rail replacement buses will be running. There will be five buses per hour between Havant and Portsmouth Harbour, with stops at Bedhampton, Hilsea, Fratton, and Portsmouth & Southsea. Additionally, two buses per hour will operate between Fareham and Portsmouth Harbour, stopping at Portchester, Cosham, Hilsea, Fratton, and Portsmouth & Southsea.
The work is part of a larger £120 million investment in the Havant resignalling programme, which aims to modernise equipment and move control to the Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre by 2028. According to project leaders, these upgrades are vital as signalling failures on the line have caused more than 18,500 minutes of delays for passengers over the past year. During the upcoming closure, engineers will spend roughly 1,660 hours on site. Tasks include strengthening bridges, refurbishing the footbridge at Fratton station, and replacing 18 wheel timbers on the Portcreek Viaduct with more durable, modern materials.
Several train operators will be affected by these changes. South Western Railway services will start and end at either Havant or Fareham. Southern services normally heading to Portsmouth & Southsea will be diverted to Bognor Regis, while Great Western Railway trains will start and end their journeys at Fareham. This maintenance follows similar improvements completed in April 2026.
Residents should be aware that further closures are planned for October 2026 and February 2027 as the modernisation programme continues. Passengers are encouraged to check their travel plans and look for updated timetables before setting off.
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