A PROGRAMME of “absolutely vital work” by Network Rail to upgrade the track between Haslemere and Petersfield started on Monday and will continue until December 10.

The £3.5m project to replace 5.8 miles of ballast will take place from Monday to Thursday each week, excluding the weeks beginning October 19 and October 26.

During the weeks affected, the normal train service will only run until the 8pm from London Waterloo to Portsmouth and Southsea in one direction and until the 8.15pm Portsmouth Harbour to London Waterloo in the other.

From then:

*A revised train service will run between London Waterloo and Haslemere.

*Replacement bus services will run between Haslemere and Petersfield.

*A shuttle train service will run between Petersfield and Portsmouth.

Tim Shoveller, managing director of South West Trains, said: “This work is absolutely vital to continuing to provide a safe and reliable railway and it is fantastic news that this equipment allows us to carry out this work overnight, which is more efficient and has far less impact on our passengers compared to weekend closures.

“However, there will be some changes to our night-time services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth, with services finishing around 8pm between Monday and Thursday. Any passengers travelling on this line in the evening must check before travelling.”

For full details of the train service alterations, visit the South West trains website at southwesttrains.co.uk and check before travelling at nationalrail.co.uk.