Guildford trains cancelled for Effingham Junction engineering work 15-16 August
South Western Railway replaces services with buses between Surbiton and Guildford via Cobham
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South Western Railway will cancel, divert or replace several train services between London Waterloo and Guildford on Saturday 15 August and Sunday 16 August 2026. The disruption follows engineering work at Effingham Junction, which will close the line for the weekend.
What changes on Saturday 15 August
South Western Railway services disrupted Sunday, September 27
Engineering work will close lines in Staines, Eastleigh and Aldershot areas, affecting multiple routes.
On Saturday, trains running from London Waterloo to Guildford via Cobham will not complete their usual route. After Surbiton, services will divert and terminate at Hampton Court. Passengers travelling to Guildford must leave the train at Surbiton and board replacement buses, which will run via Cobham.
Services from London Waterloo to Guildford via Epsom will also face changes. Trains will divert after Leatherhead and terminate at Dorking. Replacement buses will operate between Leatherhead and Guildford, stopping at Effingham Junction.
Disruption on Sunday 16 August
Track fire causes rail disruption near London Waterloo
Services were affected on 23 September 2026 due to a fire on the tracks.
On Sunday, South Western Railway will cancel all services between London Waterloo and Guildford via Cobham. Passengers travelling from London must use alternative routes to reach Surbiton, where replacement buses will run to Guildford via Cobham.
Trains via Epsom will face the same disruption as Saturday. Services will divert after Leatherhead and terminate at Dorking. Replacement buses will cover the route between Leatherhead and Guildford, including Effingham Junction.
What passengers should do
South Western Railway has not issued specific advice for passengers with accessibility needs or those requiring assistance. The operator’s website and customer service lines will provide updates closer to the dates. Passengers are advised to check their journey before travelling, as no alternative rail services will operate on the affected routes.
The engineering work is scheduled to finish by the end of Sunday 16 August. Normal services are expected to resume on Monday 17 August 2026, though South Western Railway has not confirmed this.
Questions this report answers
+Which trains will be cancelled on 15 and 16 August?
South Western Railway will cancel or divert trains between London Waterloo and Guildford via Cobham and Epsom on 15 and 16 August 2026. Services via Cobham will terminate early or not run, while those via Epsom will divert after Leatherhead.
+How can I travel from London to Guildford during the disruption?
Passengers must use replacement buses from Surbiton or Leatherhead to Guildford. On 15 August, trains via Cobham terminate at Hampton Court; on 16 August, they do not run at all. Check South Western Railway’s website for real-time updates.
+Will there be any alternative rail services?
No alternative rail services will operate on the affected routes during the engineering work. Passengers must use replacement buses or plan journeys via other stations, such as Surbiton or Leatherhead.
+When will normal services resume?
The engineering work is scheduled to finish by the end of Sunday 16 August 2026. South Western Railway expects normal services to resume on Monday 17 August, but this has not been confirmed.
WE FILE
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