OREANDA-NEWS. A nine-day part-closure of London Bridge railway station begins this Saturday, with no First Capital Connect or Southern trains calling at the station until Monday, 1 September.

The changes will allow Network Rail to carry out a huge programme of work as part of the £6.5bn Thameslink Programme to improve north-south travel through London - ultimately providing a much-improved London Bridge station with a concourse the size of the pitch at Wembley stadium and many more trains to and through central London from destinations across the south east.

The disruption is likely to affect up to 50,000 commuters every hour who normally travel into the station on First Capital Connect and Southern services. In addition, there will also be no direct trains to Gatwick or Luton airport stations from London Bridge.

Passengers are being urged to check their route into the capital and plan a different journey if needed. London Bridge Underground station will not be affected.

Nicky Hughes, Network Rail's head of communications for London and the South East, said: “London Bridge is one of the country's busiest stations and we're rebuilding it piece by piece to transform north-south travel through London. This is a huge challenge.

“There are alternative routes for everyone affected and we urge passengers across London and the south east to visit our new website, check if you are affected and then find out your alternative routes so you know your travel options.”