![\"Passengers](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SEI_299918554-b001.jpg\")
\n\t\tLondon\u2019s Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations will be closed over the summer starting from next month (Credits: NEIL HALL\/EPA\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tLondon\u2019s Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations will be closed over the summer starting from next month (Credits: NEIL HALL\/EPA\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
London\u2019s Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations will be closed from next month for essential upgrade works, causing rail<\/a> disruption for commuters.<\/p>\n The two stations will close for a total of 22 days between July 26 and August 16, as well as for a few additional weekends, to carry out \u00a320,000,000 worth of upgrades across both stations.<\/p>\n During the closure, no trains will serve either station and services will be diverted to other stations across London<\/a>. Tickets will also be accepted on alternative routes.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look at what\u2019s coming up and how you could best avoid the mayhem.<\/p>\n When are Charing Cross and Waterloo East closed?<\/p>\n \t\t The main closure for the two stations, which has been planned during the summer holidays to minimise disruption, will happen between Sunday, July 26 and Sunday, August 16.<\/p>\n However, the stations will also shut on several weekends on either side of the 22-day closure, including:<\/p>\n Sunday, June 7<\/p>\n Saturday, July 18<\/p>\n Sunday, July 19<\/p>\n Saturday, August 22<\/p>\n Sunday, August 23<\/p>\n The stations are also set to close on the weekend of October 10 to 11.<\/p>\n Why are the stations closing?<\/p>\n \t\t The closure is part of a \u00a320million railway upgrade being carried out by Southeastern Railway.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tLatest London news\t\t\t<\/p>\n To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro’s London news hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n Engineers need to replace around 1.2 miles of tracks on the 36-year-old line, which is used heavily. This can only be done when trains are not running.<\/p>\n The work also includes a revamp of sections of some platforms at Charing Cross and structural repairs on the pedestrian bridge between Waterloo East and Waterloo stations<\/a> as well as the Hungerford Bridge, which takes trains over the Thames into Charing Cross.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tHow busy are Charing Cross and Waterloo East? \t\t\t<\/p>\n London Charing Cross recorded around 19.7 million journeys through its barriers in 2024\/25, up from 17.7 million passengers the previous year. <\/p>\n The much smaller Waterloo East saw 6.8 million entries and exits in 2024\/25.<\/p>\n They both pale in comparison to the UK\u2019s busiest station, London Liverpool Street, which had 98 million journeys, followed by Waterloo with 70.4 million according to the latest figures. <\/p>\n Where are trains diverted to?<\/p>\n There will be no trains going to or departing from Charing Cross or Waterloo East, so passengers should plan.<\/p>\n Southeastern services will be diverted to London Victoria, Cannon Street, Blackfriars, and London Bridge. <\/p>\n Southeastern has warned passengers to expect diversions, amended timings, and cancellations, but there will be additional trains running on some lines during peak periods.<\/p>\n Passengers can use their tickets on alternative routes, including the London Underground<\/a> and buses, at no extra cost. <\/p>\n \t\t Scott Brightwell, the train services director on the Southeastern\u00a0Railway, said:\u00a0\u2018The \u00a320 million investment we are delivering will see 1990s track and platforms upgraded to make journeys safer and more reliable, and Victorian-era structures strengthened to remain fit for the future.<\/p>\n \u2018By\u00a0consolidating\u00a0the work<\/a> into\u00a0a 22\u2011day closure, supported by preparation and follow\u2011up\u00a0weekends, we\u00a0can complete the work more quickly and with less disruption overall than the alternative options\u00a0of 60 weekend closures or four to five 9-day closures.\u2019<\/p>\n He added: \u2018We have planned the closure for the summer<\/a>, when passenger numbers are around 20 per cent lower and schools are closed, to help manage the impact on customers.\u2019<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Mandatory](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SEI_299918524-2421.jpg\")
\n\t\tPassengers have been asked to plan when travelling into London (Credits: Maureen McLean\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n![\"Mandatory](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SEI_297301414-2bef.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe two stations will be closed to allow for upgrades to tracks, platforms, and bridges (Credits: NEIL HALL\/EPA\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n![\"Notices](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SEI_297301630-2e3e.jpg\")
\n\t\tTrains will not be stopping at Charing Cross and Waterloo East stations between July 26 and August 16 (Credits: Bloomberg via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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