Christmas travel chaos: 12 million rail journeys to be affected
AOL Travel
Updated
UK Train Travel
Extensive disruption caused by the part-closure of one of London's busiest railway stations over the Christmas period could affect as many as 12 million trips, rail authorities have warned.
Travel chaos is predicted just in time for the traditional Christmas getaway, with cancellations between December 20 to January 4, when Southern and Thameslink trains will no longer call at London Bridge.
Construction work on what will eventually be the new platforms ten (left) and eleven (right) at London Bridge railway station, Southwark, London as the capital's oldest station undergoes rebuilding as part of the �6.5bn Thameslink Programme. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 24, 2014. From Saturday 20 December 2014 to Sunday 4 January 2015 inclusive, Southern and Thameslink trains will not call at London Bridge. Also, from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 December some Southeastern Charing Cross services will not call at London Bridge in the morning peak as work continues. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
And from December 22-24, some Southeastern Charing Cross services will not call at London Bridge in the morning peak.
The planned service disruptions will allow engineers to open two new platforms and modernise nearby track and signalling equipment as part of the £6.5 billion Thameslink works programme.
The new western viaduct which will carry services to Charing Cross station that has been installed at London Bridge railway station, Southwark, London as the capital's oldest station undergoes rebuilding as part of the �6.5bn Thameslink Programme. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 24, 2014. From Saturday 20 December 2014 to Sunday 4 January 2015 inclusive, Southern and Thameslink trains will not call at London Bridge. Also, from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 December some Southeastern Charing Cross services will not call at London Bridge in the morning peak as work continues. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
"In the longrun our work here will improve the journeys of millions of passengers across the south, but we understand that until we've finished some people may have to change their journey to or from London," Thameslink programme director Simon Blanchflower said.
Construction work on what will eventually be the concourse area below the new platforms ten (top right) and eleven (top left) at London Bridge railway station, Southwark, London as the capital's oldest station undergoes rebuilding as part of the �6.5bn Thameslink Programme. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 24, 2014. From Saturday 20 December 2014 to Sunday 4 January 2015 inclusive, Southern and Thameslink trains will not call at London Bridge. Also, from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 December some Southeastern Charing Cross services will not call at London Bridge in the morning peak as work continues. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
"We've worked very hard to make sure there are alternative routes so please plan ahead and find one that works for you."
Plans for the 178-year-old station - London's oldest surviving rail terminus - include a new concourse that will be bigger than the pitch at Wembley.
London Bridge Underground station is not affected by the work.
Workers paint steelwork along the new platform ten at London Bridge railway station, Southwark, London as the capital's oldest station undergoes rebuilding as part of the �6.5bn Thameslink Programme. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 24, 2014. From Saturday 20 December 2014 to Sunday 4 January 2015 inclusive, Southern and Thameslink trains will not call at London Bridge. Also, from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 December some Southeastern Charing Cross services will not call at London Bridge in the morning peak as work continues. Photo credit should read: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
