Network Rail is to carry out a concentrated programme of improvements on the Brighton Main Line over February half-term 2027, in what it describes as a significant investment in the reliability and safety of one of Britain’s busiest rail routes.
Engineers will deliver track renewals, earthwork strengthening, upgrades to tunnels and level crossings in a single nine-day push from Saturday the 13th to Sunday the 21st February.
New rails will be laid at Plumpton and Preston Park, while switches and crossings will be renewed at Keymer Junction near Wivelsfield, aimed to cut delays along the lines.
Strengthening work will take place at Haywards Heath, as well as rock cutting at Balcombe Stamford, attempting to reduce the risk of landslips and rock falls.
Structural work is also planned at Balcombe Tunnel, with new rails going through Clayton Tunnel. Level crossings at Spatham Lane near Westmeston and at Hamsey in East Sussex will get new signalling and renewal.
A new conductor rail, also known as the third rail, will be installed between Clayton Tunnel and Preston Park to supply power to trains.
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “The Brighton Main Line is one of the busiest rail corridors in the country, with complex and intensively used infrastructure.
“This work is vital to reduce faults, improve journey reliability and keep services running safely for years to come.”
The investment will mean the railway is closed between Three Bridges and Brighton/Lewes for the nine days. Rail replacement buses will run between Three Bridges and Brighton or Lewes via Haywards Heath and other stations.
Jenny Saunders, Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink Customer Service Director said: “This major work over February half-term week is crucial to keeping services reliable for our Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink customers.
“Trains to and from Brighton will be diverted and buses will replace services on affected routes for nine days, so we’re asking customers to save the dates in their diaries.”
A diverted direct train service will operate between London Victoria and Brighton via Horsham and Littlehampton, with longer journey times. Passengers are encouraged to use it in preference to the buses supplied.
Further engineering work is planned in the Redhill area over Christmas and New Year.
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