Is London Waterloo Closed Today? Sunday 28 Dec Train Cancellations & Refund Guide
Yes — London Waterloo is completely closed today, Sunday 28 December. No trains are running in or out of the station due to major engineering works combined with holiday service reductions.
Table of Contents
If you’re planning to travel today, this disruption will significantly affect your journey. Several major routes into London are suspended, and alternative routes are limited. Checking this guide before leaving home could save you hours of frustration.
Quick Look: Today’s Train Disruption List (Sunday 28 Dec)
| Station / Line | Status | Impact Level |
|---|---|---|
| London Waterloo | Fully Closed | ???? Severe |
| Liverpool Street | Partially Closed | ???? High |
| South Western Railway (SWR) | No Services | ???? Severe |
| Greater Anglia (Norwich/Cambridge) | Suspended | ???? High |
| Piccadilly Line | Part Suspended | ???? Medium |
| Central Line (Stratford section) | Running | ???? Low |
London Waterloo: Complete Shutdown Explained
London Waterloo is entirely shut today due to pre-planned engineering works carried out by Network Rail. As a result, South Western Railway (SWR) is not operating any services into or out of the station.
This means trains from major commuter hubs such as:
- Woking
- Basingstoke
- Winchester
- Southampton Central
…are not reaching London at all.
Engineering teams are working on track upgrades, signalling systems, and safety improvements. While these upgrades are essential long-term, the short-term disruption is severe — especially for weekend travellers and airport connections.
If you were planning to reach central London via Waterloo today, you’ll need to reroute entirely.
Liverpool Street & Other Line Closures
Liverpool Street is also facing significant disruption today, particularly affecting Greater Anglia services.
Affected Routes:
- Norwich – London Liverpool Street
- Cambridge – London Liverpool Street
- Stansted Express (partial disruption)
Some limited replacement bus services are running, but journey times are heavily extended.
Tube Status Update:
- Piccadilly Line: Partially suspended due to planned maintenance.
- Central Line: Operating normally and currently one of the most reliable alternatives for east–west travel.
If you’re heading into the City or East London, Stratford is currently the most dependable interchange.
How to Claim “Delay Repay” Compensation (Important)
If your journey has been delayed, cancelled, or rerouted today, you may be entitled to compensation under the Delay Repay scheme — even if you still reached your destination.
This is one of the most searched topics during disruption days, and many passengers don’t realise they qualify.
How Delay Repay Works
Most UK train operators, including SWR and Greater Anglia, follow the same structure:
- 15–29 minutes delay → 25% refund
- 30–59 minutes delay → 50% refund
- 60+ minutes delay → 100% refund
- Cancelled train with no reasonable alternative → Full refund
You can usually claim even if you used a different route or transport method.
What You’ll Need
- Your train ticket (paper or digital)
- Journey details (date, time, destination)
- Bank or card details for the refund
Where to Claim
Visit the operator’s official website and search for:
“Delay Repay Compensation Form”
Most claims are processed within 5–10 working days.
Tip: Screenshots of station boards or journey planners can help if your delay isn’t automatically logged.
Best Alternative Routes into London Today
If you still need to travel, here are the least painful options:
Instead of London Waterloo
- Travel to Clapham Junction, then continue via Overground or local buses.
- Use Victoria Station if accessible from your route.
Instead of Liverpool Street
- Use Stratford (Central Line) for access into Central London.
- Consider Tottenham Hale → Victoria Line as a backup.
Journey Planning Tool
For real-time updates and platform changes, use the official TfL Journey Planner before leaving home.
FAQs
Q: Is London Waterloo open today?
No. London Waterloo is completely closed on Sunday, 28 December due to engineering works.
Q: Are trains running today in London?
Yes, but with heavy disruption. Some Underground lines and alternative routes are operating, while major National Rail services are suspended.
Q: How do I claim money back for cancelled trains?
You can claim through the operator’s Delay Repay scheme. If your journey was delayed by 15 minutes or more, you’re likely eligible for compensation.
If you’re travelling today, plan carefully, allow extra time, and keep checking live updates. Disruption is widespread, but with the right route, you can still get where you’re going — just not the usual way.
