More than 100 staff are helping with transfers between trains and buses

The �130m works around Basingstoke, Hampshire, also meant delays of up to an hour for people travelling from Wiltshire and Berkshire.

More than 90 buses replaced trains as up to 800 track workers put in place the changes to tracks and signalling.

Network Rail said the work is on time and is due to finish at 0400 BST next Monday.

Several dozen stations had no alternative other than buses, and up to a third of passengers decided to stay at home rather than face the disruption.

James Burt, of South West Trains, said: "We are doing our very best to make the journey as bearable as possible for our passengers who are having to change between trains and buses."

Mark Somers, of Network Rail, said: "It's a once in 40 years renewal, we won't be back here for another 40 years or longer."