Network Rail has announced that they will be switching on modern signalling to reduce delays to train services.
The switch on will be completed during a closure of the line in the Lewes area from Thursday 7th March 2019 to Sunday 10th March 2019.
Rail services between Brighton and London will run as normal, however, there will be no Southern trains west of Eastbourne via Lewes as far as Falmer and Wivelsfield.
Buses will replace trains at over 10 stations, and journeys will take longer as a result. Trains will be busier than normal too.
The closure has been publicised since before November last year with the passenger awareness campaign stepped up in January.
Passengers should visit southernrailway.com/lewes or networkrail.co.uk/lewes for more information.
What did the officials say?
Paul Harwood, director of investment for Network East, said:
“Our work to upgrade the Lewes to Seaford line will bring it up to modern standards, make it fit for the future and provide passengers with more reliable journeys.
“We know closing the line for four days is difficult for passengers and their journeys and while the Friday to Sunday are generally quieter days of the week, unfortunately the scale and type of work requires four consecutive days to make these improvements.
“This upgrade is in addition to the £67 million we have already spent on upgrading the railway in the wider Brighton area.
“I'd like to thank passengers for their patience and remind them to please check before travelling.”
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Err, Let me get this right so we need more taxpayers money to be spent on that poorly provided train service south of the Watford Gap and especially in the South East. As to the rest of the country they have more than an adequate service with ancient rolling stock and a creaking infrastructure. The answer is simple immediately close all the lines from a line between the Wash, Severn Estuary & West of Bristol transfer their rolling stock and let those users walk.
If only there was plans to build a railway line from East Grinstead to Polgate so that Southern trains can still operate their services from London Bridge or London Victoria to Eastbourne without having to go via Haywards Heath and Lewis. Which could help with easing the congestion on the Brighton Main Line.
As well as electrify and extend the Uckfield Line that could of extend from Uckfield to Eastbourne or Lewis. Which could also ease the congestion on the Brighton Main Line that Southern and Thameslink trains operates in & out of Brighton.