LIVE: Latest rail and fire updates across the South - Updated 17:30 - 17.08.2026

Latest information as of 17:30 on Monday, 17 August:

West Sussex

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has not publicly listed a new major active fire.

Three Bridges to Horsham railway: Southern’s latest update, issued at 16:41, says disruption is expected until 20:00.

A defective rail is preventing trains from running from Horsham towards Three Bridges, Gatwick Airport and London. Other services may be cancelled, diverted, revised or delayed by up to 30 minutes.

Crawley, Ifield, Faygate and Littlehaven currently have no train service. Passengers should allow at least 45 additional minutes. Tickets are accepted on alternative Southern and Thameslink routes and Metrobus services 3 and 200.

Network Rail engineers have been dispatched to inspect the defective rail and carry out repairs. Southern says specialist equipment or replacement parts may be required.

West Coastway engineering: From approximately 23:30, engineering work between Brighton and Worthing will alter late-night Southern services. Replacement buses will operate between Brighton or Hove and Worthing or West Worthing.

The 22:20 Southampton Central to Brighton service will not call at Southwick or Portslade, while the 22:52 Portsmouth Harbour to Brighton service will terminate at Littlehampton.

East Sussex

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has not publicly listed a new major active fire.

Lewes rail derailment: The railway between Lewes and Haywards Heath remains closed until at least the end of Wednesday, 26 August. Southern says the closure is likely to continue beyond that date while the major recovery operation proceeds.

Southern’s latest derailment update was issued at 14:36. Replacement buses are running between Haywards Heath and Lewes, calling at Plumpton and Cooksbridge. There are no direct trains from London to Eastbourne or Hastings, and passengers should travel via Brighton.

From Tuesday, trains will run from Brighton towards Eastbourne, Hastings and Ore. Services between Brighton and Seaford and between Eastbourne and Ashford International are expected to operate normally.

Initial investigation work at the site has been completed. Network Rail says recovering the train is a complex operation requiring specialist equipment. Engineers will assess the damage and begin repairs after the carriages have been removed. Southern has apologised for the continued disruption.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has completed its initial on-site examination and is continuing its independent investigation.

British Transport Police’s latest statement remains the update published at 13:09 on Friday, 14 August. This is not a new police update. BTP said more than 100 passengers were evacuated, two people with serious but non-life-threatening injuries remained in hospital at that time, and 18 other people had been discharged.

BTP continues to ask passengers or witnesses who have not spoken to police to call 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016, quoting reference 521 of 13 August.

Polegate landslip: A speed restriction remains in place between Polegate and Eastbourne following a landslip. Trains must run more slowly, increasing journey times across the East Sussex coast route. Southern advises passengers affected by the derailment and landslip to allow at least 60 additional minutes.

Oxted to Uckfield railway: Southern’s latest update, issued at 16:49, says disruption will continue until the end of the day.

Two track defects are affecting services: one near Edenbridge Town and another between Oxted and Woldingham. Uckfield trains are terminating and restarting at Crowborough.

Replacement buses are operating between Crowborough and Uckfield and are expected to take approximately 25 minutes. Passengers should allow at least 60 additional minutes.

Tickets are accepted on Southeastern services via Tunbridge Wells, London Underground and Brighton & Hove bus routes 29, 29B and 29X. Network Rail teams are investigating both defects.

Hastings-area engineering: From approximately 23:00, buses will replace late-night trains between Hastings, Ore, Rye and Ashford International while engineering work closes parts of the route.

Hampshire

New Forest wildfire: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service’s latest confirmed update was issued at 16:00 today. The service is reducing the resources attending the incident.

Firefighters continue to dampen the affected area, locate hotspots and prevent the fire from reigniting. Crews expect to remain for the next few days while equipment used during the nine-day operation is packed away.

The fire affected approximately 1.6 square kilometres. By Friday, 169 different fire appliances from 93 fire stations had attended, with crews recording almost 10,000 hours at the incident.

The fire service is beginning to hand the A31 back to National Highways so essential repairs can start. People must continue to avoid the operational area. An official fire-service photograph accompanies the latest update, with video from the fireground also available.

Residents affected by drifting smoke should keep windows and doors closed. No additional major active fire has been publicly listed by the service.

A31 closure: The A31 remains closed in both directions through the New Forest. The westbound carriageway is closed between M27 junction 2 at Ower and the A338 at Ringwood, while the eastbound carriageway is closed between the A338 and M27 junction 1 at Cadnam.

National Highways previously said the closure would remain through at least Thursday, 20 August. Work includes resurfacing damaged carriageways and replacing road barriers and boundary fencing. Drivers should follow signed diversions rather than satnav instructions.

Woking signalling failure: A signalling-system fault is blocking some lines towards Weybridge, affecting South Western Railway services to and from London Waterloo. National Rail’s latest confirmed update was issued at 16:00, with trains liable to delay or alteration until 19:00. Hampshire passengers travelling through Woking should check their journeys.

CrossCountry services: A shortage of train crew means fewer CrossCountry trains are running between Birmingham New Street and Bournemouth, affecting Winchester and Southampton Central. Services may be revised until the end of the day.

Tickets are accepted on alternative CrossCountry, Great Western Railway and South Western Railway services. Tickets dated Monday, 17 August may also be used on CrossCountry services on Tuesday, 18 August.

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