London’s transport network will be significantly disrupted over the weekend of Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February 2026 due to planned engineering works and service alterations on both Transport for London (TfL) and National Rail routes. Major closures include sections of the Central line, London Overground (Mildmay, Weaver, Windrush lines), Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Elizabeth line, as well as rail replacement buses replacing trains on c2c services between Upminster and Pitsea. National Rail routes including Brighton Main Line will also be affected with line closures and bus replacements, reports The WP Times.
Tube and Overground planned closures (TfL): what’s affected this weekend
Transport for London’s planned-track closures calendar shows several Underground, Overground, Elizabeth line and DLR service suspensions on 31 January and 1 February 2026 due to essential maintenance work.
Central line
- Dates: From 02:00 on Saturday 31 January through all day Sunday 1 February
- What’s closed: No trains between Bethnal Green and Epping / Hainault on both routes (via Woodford and via Newbury Park).
- Alternatives: Replacement buses operate between affected stations.
- Useful for passengers: Check TfL Journey Planner for specific replacement bus routes and times.
London Overground lines
- Mildmay line: No service between Camden Road and Richmond / Shepherd’s Bush on both weekend days.
- Weaver line: On Sunday 1 February, no trains between Liverpool Street and Enfield Town / Cheshunt / Chingford until ~10:15.
- Windrush line: On Sunday 1 February, no Overground trains between Sydenham and Crystal Palace.
Passengers should use alternate Overground segments or local buses where possible and confirm live status via TfL.
Elizabeth line and DLR
- Elizabeth line (Sunday 1 February):
- Until 07:45: No trains between Paddington and Ealing Broadway.
- After 07:45: Reduced service between Paddington and Heathrow / Maidenhead, with fewer trains and adjusted stop patterns.
- DLR (Sunday 1 February): No service between Tower Gateway and Shadwell.
Passengers should consult the TfL Journey Planner for alternatives including buses and other Underground lines.
National Rail works: closures and rail replacement buses
National Rail operators are carrying out scheduled engineering works affecting services into, out of, and across London on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February 2026.
c2c services: Upminster – Pitsea
- Dates: Saturday 31 January – Sunday 1 February
- Route affected: Between London Liverpool Street / London Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness.
- Disruption: All trains between Upminster and Pitsea via Laindon will be replaced by bus services.
- Train diversions: c2c trains will run via Rainham; some Sunday services will start/terminate at London Fenchurch Street via West Ham instead of Liverpool Street.
- Ticket acceptance: Rail tickets may be used on London Underground Jubilee line and DLR services between West Ham and Stratford at no extra charge where permitted.
- Advice: Allow extra journey time; check National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner before travel.
Brighton Main Line works
- Date: Sunday 1 February 2026
- Routes: Brighton Main Line between Brighton / Lewes / Hove and Three Bridges will be closed for essential maintenance.
- Impact:
- No trains on these routes; replacement buses will serve stations along the closed sections.
- A diverted train service between Brighton and London Victoria via Hove and Littlehampton will operate with extended journey times.
- Advice: Passengers should plan using National Rail Enquiries and expect longer journeys with bus replacements.
Other National Rail notes
- Status pages: Official live disruption info is available on National Rail status and disruptions page.
- Minor incident alerts: Some disruptions include limited service to/from London Waterloo and other non‑major closures; always check before travel.
Travel planning: tickets, alternative routes and accessibility
Journey planning tools
| Tool | Purpose | URL |
|---|---|---|
| TfL Journey Planner | Plan tube, Overground, bus and DLR travel | https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey |
| National Rail Enquiries Planner | Plan mainline train and replacement services | https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ |
Use these planners before departing to check live statuses and any last‑minute changes.
Ticketing and fare guidance
- Rail tickets: In many cases where trains are cancelled due to engineering works, paper tickets and valid e‑tickets can be used on substitute transport such as specified London Underground routes and buses at no additional cost where operators allow.
- Contactless / Oyster: These may incur standard charges when used on alternative services; always tap in/out correctly.
- Refunds / claims: Consult the relevant train operator’s policy if your booked service is altered or cancelled.
Accessibility and assistance
- Stations or services affected by closures may have limited or no step‑free access; check accessibility details on the TfL and National Rail websites ahead of travel.
- Contact station staff for guidance on accessible alternative routes or assistance for passengers with reduced mobility.
What this means for travellers this weekend
- Reduced direct train options: Many central London routes will see closures or replacements, particularly on the Central line, Overground lines, Elizabeth line, and c2c regional services.
- Longer journey times: Replacement buses and diverted train services will increase travel time on many journeys.
- Planning required: Travellers should check expected departure times using planners and allow extra time, especially during peak periods.
Passengers should confirm routes, times and ticket acceptance details shortly before travel as planned engineering works can be updated with short notice.
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