TRAINS to London and Gatwick Airport are set for disruption this Easter due to signalling works.

No services will run between London Victoria and East Croydon across the four-day Easter Bank Holiday while work takes place on a £160 million project to improve signalling between the two stations, with new track and points being put into place at Clapham Junction.

Engineers will also be working on the new station development at Gatwick.

Gatwick Express services will be suspended during the engineering works, with customers advised to use Southern or Thameslink services between London Bridge and the airport.

Most trains will be diverted to London Bridge, with some services running between Balham and East Croydon.

Network Rail’s route director for Sussex, Katie Frost, said: “I realise this stretch of track seems to be closed a lot lately – but there’s a good reason for that. 

“Major investment always means there is a degree of disruption while the work is done and we are midway through that process now. 

“The importance of the East Croydon to Victoria route with commuters means it’s a tough one for us to close outside of weekends and holidays, so this is the least-worst option for everyone.

“However, the equipment we are installing will be more reliable and the project will also reduce everyday delays through new designs of track and signalling.”

The resignalling project, due to be completed at Christmas this year, will see 1970s-era signals replaced with modern LED equivalents, along with a new control system, train detection and some new track.

Replacement buses will run between Balham and Clapham Junction on Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Monday; and between East Croydon and Clapham Junction on Easter Sunday.

Southern services will run an amended Bank Holiday timetable on Easter Monday, while Thameslink services will run an amended Saturday timetable.

Tickets will be accepted on relevant Tube and bus services between Victoria, Clapham and Balham, and on the Tube between Victoria and London Bridge.

Southern Rail advised customers to plan any journeys over Easter in advance and check details of how their services might be affected.