Network rail has apologised for extension to signalling work

Network Rail's �100m signalling project in the city will overrun by six weeks causing further disruption.

The signalling overhaul, which started on 24 December was due to end on Sunday but has been extended until 18 March.

The company has apologised for the delay, which it has blamed on the size and complexity of the project.

Dave Pape, Network Rail's route director, said: "This project will deliver big benefits for passengers, and the need to reschedule the commissioning is deeply disappointing.

"The new signalling kit is not yet ready to take over train operation, and more time is needed to get the reliability to higher levels.

This work will bring big benefits James Burt, SWT

"We sincerely apologise to passengers and thank them for their patience and hope they understand how important it is to finish this project and secure the future of this route."

South West Trains is operating a limited service of two services per hour and First Great Western is running one service per hour through to Portsmouth Harbour.

Southern train services continue to terminate at Fratton.

From Thursday, 15 March, until Sunday, 18 March, the lines from Portsmouth Harbour to Petersfield, Fareham and Chichester will be closed and that will be extended to Haslemere, Swanwick and Eastleigh on Sunday only.

James Burt, South West Trains operations director, said: "We realise that the extension of these engineering works is massively inconvenient but this work will bring big benefits."

Meanwhile, a delegation of Portsmouth city councillors is set to meet South West Trains bosses on Tuesday to discuss concerns over cramped seating on new Desiro 450 trains serving the route to London Waterloo.