Rail passengers travelling through Portsmouth are facing disruption today after a safety inspection of the track near Hilsea led to delays, cancellations and revised services.
Network Rail engineers have been carrying out safety checks on equipment on a bridge near Hilsea. As a precaution, trains travelling towards Portsmouth Harbour are currently subject to a temporary speed restriction of just five miles per hour.
As a result, train operators say journeys through the area could take up to 20 minutes longer, with some services cancelled or running only on part of their usual route.
Disruption is expected on lines between Southampton Central, Havant and Portsmouth Harbour until the end of the day.
Southern said the inspection was taking place on track over a bridge near Hilsea, meaning trains can only run through the area at reduced speeds. The operator warned some journeys could take up to 30 minutes longer and passengers may need to change trains to complete their journey.
Several service changes have been introduced across the network. Southern trains between London Victoria and Portsmouth will no longer run directly to Portsmouth & Southsea or Portsmouth Harbour. Passengers are being advised to change at Havant and continue their journey using South Western Railway services.
Services between Brighton and Portsmouth & Southsea are currently only running as far as Chichester.
South Western Railway has also confirmed that services between Southampton Central and Portsmouth & Southsea are operating only between Southampton Central and Fareham. Meanwhile, some services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth via Guildford have been reduced.
To help passengers complete their journeys, rail tickets are being accepted on a number of local bus services across the Portsmouth area, including routes operated by First Bus, Stagecoach and Bluestar. Replacement buses have also been arranged between Eastleigh, Fareham, Haslemere and Portsmouth Harbour.
Rail operators are advising passengers to check before travelling and allow extra time for their journey.
Anyone delayed may also be eligible for compensation under the operators’ delay repayment schemes.
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