Network Rail will close the train line between Windsor and Eton Riverside and Staines for a week in February.

From Monday, 21 to Sunday, 27 engineers will be upgrading the 1970s signalling infrastructure and performing track and bridge maintenance.

The new ‘blockade’ approach to the upgrade replaces back-to-back weekend closures.

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Network Rail’s Wessex route director Mark Killick said: “We’re really grateful for the patience of our customers as we continue these vital improvements.

“Our new signalling system will replace the 1970s technology still in use today and make the line much more reliable.

“By doing the work in bigger chunks called “blockades”, we can avoid a long series of weekend or bank holiday closures over a number of years. It means we can deliver the benefits for passengers much quicker, and it’s also more efficient.”

Buses will replace SWR services between Windsor and Eton Riverside and Staines throughout the closure, then also between Hounslow and Windsor and Eton Riverside on Sunday 27.

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The works form part of a £380m Feltham-Wokingham resignalling programme, which is replacing 50-year-old signalling on SWR’s lines in South West London, Surrey and Berkshire.

Christian Neill, SWR’s customer experience director, said: “There’s never a good time to close the railway and, of course, such a long closure will inconvenience our customers.

“Unfortunately, it’s not possible to complete the planned amount of work with trains still running, but I’d like to reassure customers that these works will provide long term reliability to our services as well as an opportunity to clear litter and graffiti from the line.

“I appreciate it’s hard for people who rely on the railway and we’re very grateful for their patience whilst these works take place. I’d like to advise anyone planning to travel to check if their journey will be affected as buses will replace trains and some journeys will take longer than usual.”