Network Rail has announced that the nine-day closure of the southern end of the Brighton Main Line this October will not go ahead as Network Rail has decided to revise the way the programme is to be carried out.
Network Rail had previously agreed with Govia Thameslink Railway, which operates Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express trains, to close the line between Brighton and Three Bridges, and between Lewes and Three Bridges for two nine-day periods which coincided with October and February half terms, in addition to the weekend closures.
The improvement work is part of a £300 million government-funded improvement programme to increase reliability.
The improvement work will now take place in just one nine-day period from the 16th February to the 24th February 2019.
The planned 15-weekend closures from September 2018 until May 2019 will go ahead unchanged.
Network Rail has consulted with the Department for Transport and Govia Thameslink Railway to make this decision. Passengers now have more time to plan ahead before the weekday closures next year.
During the closure, no trains will run between Three Bridges and Brighton or between Three Bridges and Lewes. Rail Replacement buses will be in operation and additionally, trains will be diverted between London and Brighton via Littlehampton.
What did the officials say?
John Halsall, Network Rail's managing director for the South East route, said:
“I know many passengers have had a really tough time since the timetable change in May. That's why I asked for a review of all our planned maintenance and improvement work with GTR to identify any opportunities to postpone or re-plan engineering work to a later date.
“I'm pleased we've been able to re-plan the way we're carrying out this long-overdue upgrade to one of the most unreliable parts of our rail network, meaning passengers will get almost all of the reliability benefits but with significantly less weekday disruption.
“I'd urge passengers to plan ahead and we'll continue to work closely with the train operators, Transport Focus and passenger groups to make sure the travelling public get the best possible service during the closures.”
Keith Jipps, Govia Thameslink Railway's Infrastructure Director, said:
“This route is the most congested and intensively used in the country and Network Rail's work is essential to give our passengers the reliable, on-time services they want and deserve.
“We'll be ensuring there are many options for passengers to make their journeys, including alternative transport to other rail stations and with other train operators. However, passengers need to know that they will have significantly longer journeys when the railway is closed.”
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