Network Rail has announced that work remains on track to complete landslip repairs on the East Grinstead line to allow key workers to get to and from work.
The line will reopen on Monday 30th March 2020, although Coronavirus could still cause a delay.
Thameslink and Southern will be running a reduced timetable from Monday and passengers are now being encouraged to check before travelling.
The railway has been closed between Lingfield and East Grinstead since 12th February when the embankment near Cookspond Viaduct began to slide.
Since then, five further sites have suffered landslips on the route, and Network Rail has been working with BAM Nuttall to repair the line.
The repairs are almost complete, and testing will continue over the weekend.
What did the officials say?
Network Rail Southern Region's managing director, John Halsall, said:
“We are on course to return this railway to use on Monday, at an absolutely crucial time, with key workers relying on us to get to their jobs.
“However, I can't be as confident as I would like to be simply because we are seeing increasing numbers of our colleagues having to leave work to self-isolate and we don't know what those numbers will be and who will be affected over the next two days.
“So my message to passengers is firstly, please only travel if you absolutely have to, and then secondly please check before you travel on Monday. It's been an incredible effort by everyone who has worked on the project to get so far so fast and I am so proud of their work, but we have to be realistic and admit the challenge we face.
“Thank you to everyone for your patience.”
Steve White, Chief Operating Officer at GTR, which runs Thameslink and Southern services, said:
“Our important message to everyone during this national emergency remains not to travel unless absolutely essential but for those key workers and people who have no choice, the completion of this work will be good news reducing your travel time.
“We would like to thank customers for their patience during this essential work. Network Rail really has pulled out all the stops to repair the landslips in this area and I applaud them for their efforts on behalf of the community and the railway.”
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Geoff Marshall done a video of the landslide in Surrey and Kent. And have to say that the repair works are coming along very nicely. Well done Network Rail.
https://youtu.be/UuSrkz2PVOc
Well done NR & Nuttal, some task! From a gricer’s point of view I shall miss the top-and-tail 66’s on ballast trains rumbling past my residence, made a nice change from 377 & 172 units.