The Charing Cross Waterloo East closure will return for one weekend next month, with both stations set to close for 48 hours on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2026 while Network Rail completes follow-up engineering work after this summer’s major upgrade programme.
Both stations were shut for 22 days from 26 July to 16 August 2026 to allow a £20 million programme of track, platform and structural improvements. Now Network Rail says additional weekend closures are still required to complete follow-up work and commission the remaining upgrades. The October weekend is the second date listed in the operator’s “Dates for your diary” notice, following Sunday 23 August.
Diverted Southeastern services during the Charing Cross Waterloo East closure
During these closures, Southeastern services that normally run into Charing Cross will be diverted to other London stations, and some trains will not call at Charing Cross or Waterloo East on the two dates while the follow-up work is completed.
Crucially, passengers should not rely on what they learned during the summer shutdown. Network Rail warns that the alternative service plans for these weekend closures will be different from those used during the completed 22-day closure, and customers are encouraged to check before travelling.
“We’re asking passengers to plan ahead, check before you travel, and make sure you know your last train home,” a Network Rail spokesperson said. London Bridge will remain open throughout the weekend, and TfL services will be running as normal.
What the £20m upgrade has delivered
The summer works between Charing Cross and London Bridge delivered around 1,800 metres of new track and 16 sets of switches and crossings, the rebuilding of platforms 1 to 6 at Charing Cross, and structural repairs to the 175-year-old Hungerford Bridge and the pedestrian link bridge between Waterloo East and London Waterloo.
“Engineering works are taking place between Charing Cross and London Bridge on October 10 and October 11, 2026,” Network Rail confirmed. “This is scheduled follow-up works after the 22-day closure that took place in the summer.”
Check before you travel
The October shutdown comes amid a disrupted few months for London’s rail passengers, who have also faced the closure of South Bermondsey station to Millwall fans around the West Ham derby, while passengers on the District line’s Wimbledon branch face weekend closures on 10–11 October and 24–25 October and are campaigning for a reliable service.
Anyone travelling through central London during the Charing Cross Waterloo East closure on 10 and 11 October should check their journey in advance, allow extra time and confirm their last train home. For Tube, bus, cycling and walking routes, Network Rail recommends TfL’s Plan a Journey page or the TfL Go app.
Reporting based on Network Rail.
