Here are all the rail and station closures in London over Christmas

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Brace yourselves, commuters.

There have been many headlines about incoming Christmas travel chaos, and now Network Rail has announced major station closures as an extensive programme of rail improvements goes ahead, it looks like there'll be a few more yet…

Read more: Could Network Rail have to go cap in hand to the government?

Rail passengers will face disruption for up to two weeks as closures at Paddington, Charing Cross, Waterloo, Liverpool Street and Cannon Street affect travel.

While engineering work is carried out throughout the year, larger upgrades occur over bank holidays, as up to 50 per cent fewer passengers travel on those days. Many works this year are starting on Christmas Eve.

Phil Hufton, Network Rail's managing director for England and Wales, said: "Despite our essential upgrades, the vast majority of the rail network – more than 95 per cent – remains unaffected and will be open for business as usual."

Here's the roundup of the action (though further disruption could be caused by a Unite Gatwick airport strike and RMT and Aslef strikes; all are balloting workers over potential strike action).

Read more: Southern Rail commuters had very British responses to today's train chaos

What's closing when?

  • London Paddington closed 24-29 December because of work on the Crossrail link
  • The Heathrow Express closed 24-29 December
  • Great Western Railways (including trains to Bristol & Cardiff) terminating at Ealing Broadway 24-29 December – excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day when there will be no services 
  • Bus replacements and diversions in place for services to/from London Liverpool Street and lines to East Anglia 24 December-2 January – because of major upgrades for Crossrail's eastern section
  • No Southeastern trains to London Bridge and Charing Cross 24-28 December – apart from the Hastings service, which will divert to London Bridge
  • No late night services between Cardiff Central and Bridgend, Newport and the Valleys 24 December and disruption due 27 December-3 January
  • Manchester's Oxford Road will have replacement buses and diversions from 18-28 December – because of work on the Ordsall Chord link from Piccadilly to Victoria