Rail passengers from Rowlands Castle, Petersfield, Liss, Liphook, Haslemere, Witley, Milford, Godalming and Farncombe are facing nine days of no trains between these stations.

The Portsmouth to Waterloo line will be closed between Petersfield and Guildford from Saturday, February 11, to Sunday February 19, and a replacement bus service will operate.

During the closure Network Rail engineers will be renewing a key set of switches and crossings in Haslemere which will allow trains to move from one track to another. This will include 500 metres of plain line track and 1,750m of conductor rail.

And between Farncombe and Petersfield, the signalling system is being brought up to modern standards, with initial preparatory work which will eventually allow more trains to run between Woking and Portsmouth Harbour.

Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “It’s really great to see work progressing so well on the Portsmouth Direct Upgrade programme. Our teams have been working hard to try and carefully plan and fit multiple pieces of work within the same railway closure which in turn will save time and taxpayers money.

“I’d like to thank passengers again for their patience while we carry out these upgrades and bring the signalling system up to modern standards. We hope this will be a long-term benefit and cause less disruption in the future.”

During the closure, engineers will also continue to carry out track maintenance at Witley station, Milford, Liphook and Liss and (including stone blowing which is similar to tamping), for smoother and more reliable journeys.

They will also carry out graffiti and litter clearance to improve the stations and surrounding areas and other works along the stretch of closed line, including replacing an ageing footbridge.

Christian Neill, service delivery director for South Western Railway, said: “In mid-February, the major programme of improvements will continue on the Portsmouth Direct line.

“This significant investment will replace decades old equipment to help improve performance for customers, and infrastructure resilience, for many years to come.

“We appreciate that nine consecutive days of engineering works can be frustrating, so we would like to thank customers for their patience as these improvements are carried out.

“We advise customers to check their whole journey before they travel and to make use of the rail replacement bus services available.”

To check SWR services visit the website at https://www.southwesternrailway.com