Work on a series of projects will be underway over the festive period to help ensure a more reliable Kent and south east London railway.

While they are carrying out the work in the quietest time of the year, there will be some alterations to journeys.

From 27th December to 31st December, Network Rail will be carrying out power and signalling upgrades, as well as replacing old track. As a result, no Southeastern trains will run to or from London Victoria during this period.

London Charing Cross and London Waterloo East will be closed from the 1st January until the 4th January for maintenance to be carried out.

On the same dates (1st-4th January), London Cannon Street will also be closed, with most services diverted to London Victoria, having limited services to/from London Bridge.

At South Bermondsey, the station will close to allow for the platforms to be rebuilt between the 27th December and the 4th January, meaning no Southern trains will call at the station.

While the line is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, engineers will be working to replace rails near Maidstone East, improving power supply in the London Bridge area and renewing crossings and switches at Lee.

“We use the time when the railway is quieter, and most commuters are away to get vital work done on the railway to give passengers safer and more reliable journeys.

“While most of the country’s railway is open for travel, we are advising people to plan ahead and check before they travel as there will be changes on some routes”.

David Davidson, chief operating officer for the South Eastern Railway