Delays likely here. Pic Matt Buck.

Rail passengers are being warned to expect delays when London Bridge  station partially closes for nine days at the end of this month as part of a multi-million pound rebuild.

First Capital Connect and Southern trains will not call at the the station from this Saturday, August 23 until Monday, 1 September. The disruption is likely to affect up to 50,000 commuters every hour who normally travel into the station on First Capital Connect and Southern services.

There will also be no direct trains to Gatwick or Luton airport stations from London Bridge. East Croydon station will be busier than usual between August 23 and 31 as this disruption falls over four working days and a Bank Holiday weekend.

Trains will also not operate to and from New Cross Station station from August 26 to 29 but services will be diverted to Crystal Palace. A replacement bus service will also run every 15 minutes between New Cross and Canada Water.

The changes are part of the £6.5bn Thameslink Programme to improve north-south travel through London and Network Rail promise a much-improved London Bridge station with many more trains.

Nicky Hughes, Network Rail’s head of communications for London and the South East, said: “London Bridge is one of the country’s busiest stations and we’re rebuilding it piece by piece to transform north-south travel through London. This is a huge challenge.

“There are alternative routes for everyone affected and we urge passengers across London and the south east to visit our new website, check if you are affected and then find out your alternative routes so you know your travel options.”

You can keep up with the progress of the work and the different travel options available can be found at www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk.