Travellers warned of rail disruption around Southampton

Easter travellers are being warned of significant rail disruption in the Southampton area throughout the Easter weekend.

Services on all routes to and from Southampton Central Station will be suspended and replaced with buses.

Worn out track around the station is being replaced over Easter as part of a £20m project.

Network Rail said it had chosen to carry out the work when passenger numbers were lighter.

The work has been taking place at weekends since 22 March and is expected to be completed this weekend.

The firm warned some journeys may be extended by up to 60 minutes and urged passengers to check their route and plan it before setting off.

Jim Morgan, infrastructure director for the Network Rail/South West Trains Alliance, said: "We recognise that this is not ideal and we are sorry for the inevitable disruption that will be caused to our passengers.

"We have sought to keep disruption to a minimum whilst we undertake this essential work."

More than 6 million people use Southampton Central Station each year, an increase of a 1.5 million on a decade ago, putting increased pressure on the infrastructure.

South West Trains, CrossCountry, Southern and First Great Western services will be affected.