Trains will not run between Chessington South and Malden Manor for nearly a month next year as Network Rail undergoes an £800m revamp to extend suburban line platforms.

Commuters are being warned a year in advance of the plans to completely cut services running between the stations from August 5 to 28.

Network Rail bosses also warned that "significantly fewer" trains would call at Claygate, Esher, Hersham, Hinchley Wood, Kingston, New Malden, Oxshott, Surbiton, Walton and Worcester Park during the same period.

The two-year regeneration will see platforms extended at 10 stations on the Reading line, as well as improved facilities at Surbiton station.

A 150-strong fleet of new carriages will be rolled out during that period to increase capacity.

But commuters between Chessington South and Malden Manor will experience a month of travel chaos as rail replacement bus services run between Worcester Park and Surbiton.

Stuart Kistruck, route managing director at Network Rail, said: "During this period we will be closing platforms 1-9, so services will use the other existing platforms as well as platforms 20-24, which will reopen during August’s changes.

"As there will be major impacts on services, we want everyone to have plenty of time to plan ahead while we invest for better journeys down the line."

Network Rail bosses have warned passengers to travel earlier or later than peak travel hours during the month closure, adding that longer trains will be provided in the morning and evening to alleviate the pressure.

Kevin Parker, senior communications manager at Network Rail, said bosses were working with the South Bank Employers Group in central London to encourage employers to allow flexibility for their employees' working hours during August next year.

He said: "We're identifying who the big employers are. We're going through umbrella groups at the moment and we've told them what's happening and that we'll constantly update them until next year."