Rail services from Blackheath, Kidbrooke and Eltham to Victoria will be hit by major engineering work over Christmas, with lines through Brixton closed between today and New Year’s Day.

No Southeastern trains will run into Victoria so work can continue on track upgrades and a multi-million pound resignalling project by Network Rail. Engineers will also be installing extra ticket gates at the terminal to cut congestion.

Bexleyheath line trains that would normally run to Victoria will run to Charing Cross instead, although a special half-hourly service will link Orpington, Bromley South, Lewisham, Nunhead, Peckham Rye, Denmark Hill, Elephant & Castle and Blackfriars.

Other Southeastern services, from Ramsgate, Dover Priory and Ashford International, will run into Cannon Street instead. 

Kidbrooke station with new homes being built
Services from Kidbrooke are among those affected. Image: The Greenwich Wire

The works also mean buses will replace London Overground trains between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction. The track work includes the rebuild of a major junction between Clapham High Street and Wandsworth Road that controls the movement of Southeastern and London Overground services in the area.

Passengers are being asked to check before they travel. Southern and Gatwick Express services into Victoria are not affected, although other engineering work will be taking place across the wider area.

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s Southern managing director, said: “We know that there is never a good time to close the railway, but passenger numbers are a lot lower at this time of year which is why we try to pack as much work in as possible and reduce disruption.

“There will be varying changes to train services during this time, so we are advising passengers to plan ahead and check the latest travel information with their train operator or National Rail.”

Elsewhere, there will be no Elizabeth Line trains from Woolwich or Abbey Wood on Boxing Day, while there will be extensive engineering work on the Docklands Light Railway between Christmas and New Year.

Details of National Rail closures can be found at nationalrail.co.uk, while TfL’s engineering works can be found at tfl.gov.uk.