Network Rail replace South Bermondsey station platforms over festive period
Network Rail have been replacing platforms at South Bermondsey station over the holiday period.
From Saturday 27th December 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026 South Bermondsey station is closed as the island platform is replaced for the first time in 50 years.
Network Rail state “the platforms date back to the 1970s, when the original 1928 wooden platforms were replaced with the current precast concrete trestle construction which is in a very poor state. No Southern trains will call at the station during this period and passengers should use local London bus services instead.”
Station use
While not related to current works the station has seen very strong growth under recent figures released earlier in December.
While always seeing use when Millwall play at home new housing nearby has led to strong growth. An annual increase of 17.9 per cent was recorded up to March 2025 as usage grew from 537k to 633k. A growth that looks likely to continue as no Bakerloo line extension down the Old Kent Road means South Bermondsey station is the closest to many high density developments.
Like many inner London railway stations it’s almost forgotten by rail operators despite proximity to London terminals. London Bridge is just four minutes away and it sees four trains per hour.
See Deptford for another example. Located near much new housing Zone 2, six minutes to London Bridge but barely staffed. Elephant & Castle station is another.
As for South Bermondsey development has grown along Ilderton Road which runs from the Old Kent Road to the station. The tallest to complete so far is Bermondsey Heights with more than 250 flats.
Approved
In May this year approval was gained by developer Tide for a major development north of Bermondsey Heights featuring 186 “affordable” homes and 865 co-living units.
Further south is the Tustin Estate development which sees hundreds of homes rising at the southern end of Ilderton Road where around 700 new homes will be built.
A 30-floor tower is also proposed at 257-283 Ilderton Road.
South Bermondsey is the closest station to many of these sites – and others nearby – with a 15-minute frequency in place during weekdays.
It’ll be interesting to see if further investment in the station is forthcoming in future as passengers numbers continue to increase given no Bakerloo line extension is forthcoming.
Is South Bermondsey station capable of being step-free accessible with ramps leading up to the island platform or is there space for a lift to be installed. Whilst there are plans for a new Overground “Windrush Line” station on Surrey Canal Road to be built and to have lifts and step-free access. And is also located close to Millwall FC The Den stadium.
I’ve only found myself at South Bermondsey station on a handful of occasions. My increasing vertigo makes it hard for me as the station is high up, and the relatively narrow island platform is scary.
I do think that South Bermondsey station can get very busy and sometimes over crowded during match days when Millwall are playing at home at The Den nearby and a new station is scheduled to be built on the London Overground Windrush Line at Surrey Canal Road.
That could help relieve some of the pressure for football fans and local people in the area and for those who would use the new Windrush Line station on Surrey Canal Road.
@Anonymous: Surrey Canal Road station is tied up with the redevelopment of The Den that is very slow in coming. There is passive provision for the station, but that is it so far.