Haywards Heath to Lewes railway line set to reopen on 1 September

The railway line between Haywards Heath and Lewes is planned to reopen to passenger services on Tuesday 1 September, following the derailment earlier this month.

Network Rail and Southern Railway have confirmed the reopening date as engineers continue the major recovery operation and repairs following the derailment on Thursday 13 August.

Since the incident, teams have been working to recover the train and establish the full extent of damage to the railway and surrounding embankment.

The repair programme includes replacing sections of track and reinstating signalling equipment before services can safely resume.

Network Rail says the location of the derailment has made the recovery particularly complex, requiring temporary foundations and platforms to be constructed so heavy machinery and specialist Kirow cranes can operate safely at the site.

With a programme now in place to clear the site and complete the remaining repairs, Network Rail and Southern say they expect the railway to reopen in time for passengers returning to their usual travel patterns at the end of the summer holidays.

Before passenger trains return, engineers will carry out a programme of testing and inspections to make sure the railway is safe and reliable.

Network Rail and Southern Railway have thanked passengers and local communities for their patience during the closure.

Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex Route Director for Network Rail said: “My thoughts and those of our teams continue to be with those who were injured, their families and friends and with all those who have been affected by this incident.

“I can only apologise for the disruption that this incident is causing to people’s journeys, and I want to personally thank people for their patience and their understanding alongside the many rail industry colleagues supporting the recovery.

“The location of the derailment, which happened in close proximity to the River Ouse, means that reinstatement of the site is particularly complex, with teams working round the clock to reopen the line for customers as soon and as safely as possible. The recovery is being carried out with careful consideration for the area around the derailment site, ensuring the area’s ecology is protected and being mindful of residents living nearby.”

John Whitehurst, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR), which operates Southern Railway, said: “This incident has been incredibly hard for everyone and I can only imagine how difficult it must be for those directly involved, along with their friends and family.

“The aftermath is also having a real impact on our customers’ lives through longer, more difficult journeys, which is why we’ve been doing our level best to keep people moving through alternative transport and additional staff at stations.

“Getting the line open in time for the end of the school holidays is an absolute priority for us, and we are working closely with Network Rail to achieve this despite very challenging circumstances.

“I would like to pay tribute to not only the work and efforts of everyone involved in the response, but also to the community for their patience and ongoing assistance as we work together to recover the railway safely.”

Passengers are being advised to continue checking Southern Railway’s travel information while the closure remains in place.

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