October Rail Closures in Berkshire and Surrey: What Passengers Need to Know

Rail travel in Berkshire and northern Surrey will face interruptions during the October half-term as Network Rail carries out planned engineering work. From 25 to 31 October 2025, buses will replace trains on two routes: Wokingham to Reading and Staines to Windsor & Eton Riverside. People using these routes should prepare for extended travel times and adjustments to the timetable. Some interruptions are expected, as certain sections of the railway and their supporting structures will be closed temporarily for repair and improvement work.

Between 25 and 27 October, no trains will operate between Wokingham and Reading due to work at Reading Spur Junction. This junction links the North Downs Line with the Great Western Main Line and requires full replacement. During the closure, South Western Railway services to London Waterloo and Great Western Railway trains to Gatwick Airport will terminate at Wokingham. Replacement buses will connect passengers with Reading, maintaining access while the junction renewal progresses.

On the Staines to Windsor & Eton Riverside route, trains will not operate for the entire week. Buses will replace trains roughly every thirty minutes, stopping at each station along the route such as Wraysbury, Sunnymeads, and Datchet, to maintain service while work is carried out. The closure is linked to multiple projects, including rail replacement, drainage works, and improvements at level crossings. Structural maintenance will also take place at Colne River Bridge in Wraysbury and Black Potts Viaduct near Windsor, both of which require renewal of timbers and fixtures.

The engineering programme covers over a kilometre of new track and stabilisation of the surrounding ground. At Datchet Level Crossing, road surfaces and drainage systems will be upgraded to reduce disruption in the future. At the same time, wheel timbers and support fixtures on bridges will be replaced to maintain the safety of rail operations. Network Rail has confirmed that these activities are necessary to secure continued operation of the affected lines and avoid unplanned closures later.

Passengers are advised to check for timetable updates before travelling. Replacement bus services will add extra time to journeys, and connections to London, Gatwick Airport, and Windsor will take longer than normal. Information about amended services is available through National Rail and train operators. The works coincide with the October half-term period, when passenger numbers are typically lower, but travellers are encouraged to plan carefully and allow for additional journey time throughout the week.