There will be no trains running on the line that connects East Croydon and Victoria stations this weekend (October 16-17), Network Rail have announced.

Passengers were advised by rail operators including Southern to check before travelling on Saturday 16 and Sunday October 17, with most Southern trains that run between Victoria and East Croydon to be diverted to London Bridge instead.

The disruption is due to a project that seeks to "modernise 1980s track and signalling on lines into London Victoria station".

Train tickets will be valid for passengers on South Western Railway services between Clapham Junction and London Waterloo also. A "limited" rail replacement bus service will meanwhile run between East Croydon and Clapham Junction for local journeys.

Katie Frost, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said:

"While much of the railway will be open, I urge passengers to plan ahead by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk. We are delivering a vital £160m upgrade to improve the reliability and performance of trains in South London and the wider region which will mean a better railway for travellers. These improvements will also allow an uplift in train services between Clapham Junction and London Victoria in the future and I'd like to thank passengers for their understanding."

Chris Fowler, Customer Services Director for Southern, described the works as "essential" and asked passengers to check ahead and avoid disruption.

"If you’re travelling to or through South London this weekend, please check routes and times in advance, and please continue to follow government advice about face coverings," he said.

Victoria is the second busiest station in the UK after Clapham Junction, with thousands of people passing through it every day and millions annually. A reported 75 million entries and exits were recorded between 2017 - 2018