en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 24th, Network Rail will advance the next phase of the Portsmouth Direct Line's modernisation from 28 March to 2 April, with trains replaced by buses between Havant, Fareham, and Portsmouth Harbour. This railway upgrade project adds £120 million to the line's multi-year modernisation programme. By 2028, signalling systems will be transferred from the Havant Area Signalling Centre to the Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre to provide more reliable rail services.

During the six-day line closure, engineers will upgrade signalling systems and strengthen key infrastructure in the Havant and Portsmouth areas. The railway upgrade work includes repairing cable troughing between Farlington and Cosham, carrying out structural repairs to the Port Creek Viaduct, replacing 48 bearer timbers at Platform 2 of Portsmouth & Southsea station, replacing a further 14 bearer timbers outside Portsmouth Harbour station, and carrying out tamping to improve track alignment. Approximately 1,378 hours of work will be completed in total.

Infrastructure Director Tom McNamee said: "Following the successful completion of the first phase of upgrades last year, we are now starting the next phase of modernising the signalling system on the Portsmouth Direct Line. Some of the signalling equipment in the Havant area is ageing and becoming increasingly prone to failure. Replacing it with modern technology will improve reliability and help reduce delays for passengers travelling to and from the South Coast. Some of this work can only be done when trains aren't running, so we have carefully planned the construction period." The previous first phase of this railway upgrade project was completed in 2025, investing £129 million to upgrade signalling between Farncombe and Petersfield. Further line closures are planned around the late May bank holiday.