Lewes rail line to remain closed until at least 26th August after derailment

Rail passengers face continued disruption between Lewes and Haywards Heath as a major operation gets under way to recover the derailed Southern train.

The railway will remain closed until at least the end of Wednesday, 26 August, although Southern has warned the closure is likely to continue beyond that date while recovery and repair work takes place. 

Three carriages derailed and slid part-way down an embankment near Lewes on Thursday, 13 August.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch completed its work at the scene on Saturday and handed the site back to Network Rail. Its investigation into the derailment is continuing.

Engineers are now preparing the area for two 125-tonne rail-mounted cranes, among the largest available for use on the railway. Before the carriages can be lifted, teams must ensure the ground and railway are stable enough to support the cranes and the weight of the train.

The recovery has been complicated by the location of the derailment. The railway is close to a river and within a Site of Special Scientific Interest, while restricted road access is available only through a residential area.

As much specialist equipment as possible is therefore being taken to the site by rail.

Once the carriages have been removed, engineers will be able to fully assess the damage and establish what repairs are required before trains can safely return.

Replacement buses are operating between Lewes and Haywards Heath, calling at Cooksbridge and Plumpton. Capacity is limited, and passengers travelling elsewhere are being advised to use alternative train services through Brighton.

Tickets are being accepted on relevant Southern, Thameslink and Southeastern services, as well as Brighton & Hove Buses and London Underground services between London terminal stations.

John Whitehurst, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Thameslink Railway, which operates Southern Railway, said: “It has been an incredibly difficult time for our customers and colleagues, and our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this, particularly the family and friends of those who have been injured.

"We recognise the impact this incident will have on customers' journeys in the days ahead, and we're working closely with Network Rail to do everything we can to keep people moving while recovery work continues and the railway is restored safely. We know this recovery effort is not only affecting rail customers, but also local communities around Lewes, and I'd like to thank them for their patience and understanding while our teams work to restore the railway.

"We're providing replacement transport where needed and deploying additional colleagues at stations to support customers and help them complete their journeys. I thank customers for their patience and understanding while the railway recovers from this incident."

Network Rail is working with Lewes District Council and other partners because of the operation’s proximity to homes and wildlife.

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex Route Director, said: “This is a complex recovery operation in a very difficult location, and our teams are working hard to recover the carriages and repair the railway, to resume services safely as soon as we can.

“We know the closure is disruptive and the recovery work also affects people living close to the railway. I’m grateful for the support and understanding of the local community while we carry out this work, and for the patience of our customers during this time. We are working around the clock to get this done. We will share more updates as the recovery work progresses.”

Passengers are being advised to check live journey information before travelling. Anyone who postpones their journey until the line reopens will be able to use their ticket at a later date.

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