Sussex passengers using certain train lines may be facing disruption over the late May bank holiday weekend due to engineering work. Although not many train lines are likely to be affected, it has been confirmed that from Saturday (May 27) until Sunday (May 28), passengers will be unable to travel between East Grinstead and Oxted, and Uckfield and Oxted.
The reason for this is because engineers will be working to replace the train line tracks that date back to the 1980s. These tracks need renewing, as well as routine inspections and earthworks to ensure limited further disruption in the future, including landslips and speed restrictions.
While these works are ongoing, Sussex passengers from East Grinstead and Uckfield will need to use replacement buses when travelling out the county, as opposed to trains. Replacement buses are planned between Purley and East Grinstead (via Upper Warlingham / Oxted only), Woldingham and East Grinstead (calling at all stations) and Woldingham and Uckfield.
READ MORE: ‘Sporty’ teen, 17, diagnosed with incurable cancer ‘just wants a normal life’
No trains will also run between East Grinstead and South Croydon, or Uckfield and South Croydon. Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out these important upgrades over the late May bank holiday.
“There is never a good time to close the railway, but we have chosen to complete this work over the bank holiday weekend when passenger numbers are generally lower to help minimise disruption. The work is vital in modernising the dated track because it’s important that we give passengers better and more reliable journeys.
“I encourage any passengers who are planning to travel by train over the weekend to plan ahead and check their journeys with their train operator.”
As well as these works over the bank holiday weekend, some further works will extend into next week, with replacement buses being used on set days. From bank holiday Monday (May 29) until June 1, replacement buses will replace the 11.36pm service from Oxted to Uckfrield, as well as replacement buses between Lewes and Eastbourne, and between Hastings and Ashford International on these dates.
From bank holiday Monday (May 29) until June 2, buses will replace late-night and early morning trains between Brighton and Worthing/Littlehampton. Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Southern and Gatwick Express, said: “We’re very grateful to our passengers for their patience while Network Rail carry out these essential projects, which will boost reliability and maintain safety.
“The work over the weekend and into next week affects relatively short stretches of the network, but with buses replacing trains, journeys will take longer than normal so please plan your trip and check service times before you set off.”
READ NEXT: