Network Rail is advising rail users who use the Hove rail line, connecting the area to Brighton, to plan ahead as improvement work is due to take place in September 2021.
Following a recent inspection of the railway tracks which run through Hove, engineers noted a increased risk of landslides.
To ensure safety on the line to passengers and staff, along with reducing potential future closure from a landslide, Network Rail have selected dates where they will carry out repair work.
The period of closure takes place between Saturday 18th of September to Friday 1st of October 2021.
The following alternative transport is in place:
- Saturday 18th to Sunday 19th of September – Trains between Brighton and Littlehampton replaced by buses
- Monday 20th of September onwards – Times for trains will change between Littlehampton and Brighton, with trains being diverted to and from Preston Park where passenger will need to change trains. Passengers will need to change at Littlehampton if travelling between Portsmouth or Southampton and Worthing, Hove or Brighton.
- Great Western Railway services – trains to and from Brighton will start and end at Worthing on weekdays, and Portsmouth Harbour on weekends.
The majority of the repair work will be taking place over the weekend of Saturday 18th to Sunday 19th of September, which will involve:
- Stabilising the rockface of the cutting – Just over 1,000 rock bolts will be fitted into the rockface, firming up loose areas of rock and allowing engineers to attach nets across areas of risk
- Wilbury Road Bridge – repair work, including strengthening of the structure
- Signalling upgrades – between Brighton and Hove, specifically to the track circuit
- Shoreham Viaduct – renewals of wheel timbers
- Replanting vegetation – working with the local community, Network Rail is looking to replant the area
Working with Southern and Great Western Railway, who operate passenger services along the route, Network Rail have launched a campaign to ensure all travellers affected by the closure are made aware and can plan ahead and use other travel options.
Sussex Route Director for Network Rail, Shaun King said: “The work we're doing is absolutely vital to keeping trains running safely and reliably for passengers. Hove is a key location on our railway network and any disruption here has the potential to disrupt services across the Brighton Main Line.
“We will continue to engage with passengers and lineside neighbours and thank them for their patience while we carry out this work.”
Customer Services Director for Southern, Chris Fowler said: “While we know there will be inconvenience for some of our customers, this is really essential safety work. Therefore, we're urging anyone travelling along the West Sussex coast in this 14-day period to plan ahead and check before they travel as there will be changes to services, and some journeys will take longer than usual. Online journey planners will be updated in the next few weeks. We thank all of our customers in advance for their understanding.”
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