Services across South Western Railway's (SWR) suburban network will be replaced by buses due to engineering work in the Wimbledon area on Saturday 18, Sunday 19, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 January 

Service changes will apply.

SWR is advising customers to plan ahead of the next two weekends in January due to engineering work. 

Maintenance in the Wimbledon area will affect services across the SWR network, with many services in South West London and Surrey replaced by buses.

Network Rail engineers will renew approximately 800 metres of track, ballast, and sleepers between Wimbledon and Earlsfield.

They will also replace points (moveable sections of track that allow trains to move from one line to another) and install 100 meters of conductor rail, which powers trains.  

This work will improve the reliability of the track in the area, reducing the number of faults caused by rail and wheel wear and provide customers with a smoother ride as the layout of the track is improved. 

Services between London Waterloo and Chessington South, Dorking, Hampton Court, London Waterloo via Kingston, and Woking (stopping) will not run. 

Rail replacement bus services will operate between Clapham Junction and: 

• Chessington South via Wimbledon 
• Worcester Park via Wimbledon 
• Surbiton via Kingston 
• Surbiton via Wimbledon (Saturdays only) 
• Surbiton (non-stop) 
• Hampton Court via Surbiton 
• Effingham Junction via Surbiton 
• Weybridge via Surbiton 
• Twickenham via Kingston (Sunday 26 January only) 

Buses will also operate between Addlestone and Weybridge, while Berrylands station will be closed. 

Services between London Waterloo and Alton and Basingstoke will be revised, starting and ending their journeys at Woking. 

Longer distance services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids, Portsmouth Harbour and Weymouth will be revised and diverted, taking approximately 30 minutes longer than usual. 

Engineering work will also affect services in the Ash area on Saturday 19, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 January. Services will be revised, and buses will run between Aldershot and Guildford. 

Customers can plan ahead here.

More closures will affect the Wimbledon area on Sunday 2 and Sunday 9 February.

Details are available here and more information will follow. 

Peter Williams, SWR's Customer and Commercial Director, said: "Customers should plan ahead if they intend to travel on these weekends in January, as engineers carry out vital maintenance at one of the busiest parts of our network. 

"There will be a large number of service changes, with rail replacement buses operating on our suburban routes, and with long-distance services revised and diverted. Diverted services will take around 30 minutes longer than usual, so customers should allow extra time when travelling. 

"We are very sorry for the disruption and are very grateful for our customers' patience."  

Mark Goodall, Network Rail's Wessex Route Director, said:  "There's never a good time to close the railway, and I'm sorry we are impacting passengers in the Wimbledon area over consecutive weekends. 

"We've worked hard to find the least disruptive window to deliver these essential engineering works. However, completing the upgrades back-to-back is the most efficient and cost-effective option for the taxpayer. 

"If you're planning to travel during our works, please plan ahead and check your journey at www.nationalrail.co.uk or with South Western Railway for the latest journey information and travel advice."