After being closed for 16 days for improvements to the line between Guildford and Gatwick Airport, services returned to normal this morning, Monday, 17th February.

Great Western Railway services resumed on the North Downs Line following work by Network Rail to carry out critical upgrades for the continued safe and reliable operation of trains.

The major work was to install new wheel timbers on the railway bridge over the River Wey, south of Guildford.

The new timbers, made from a synthetic alternative using fibre-reinforced foamed urethane, require less maintenance and will last 30 years longer than the old wooden ones.

During the line’s 16-day closure, Network Rail engineers completed other vital upgrades including:

• Stabilising one of the cuttings at Gomshall to reduce the possibility of a landslip disrupting train services.
• Upgrading the area’s signalling.
• Replacing jointed track with long welded rail, resulting in quieter and smoother journeys.
• Installing new signalling at the four level crossings along the line and replacing the existing single-lane barriers with double-lane barriers to improve safety by reducing the chance of vehicles crossing the track when the barriers are down.

Taken together, the works will improve the reliability of the North Downs Line and reduce the risk of speed restrictions being imposed or the line being closed for a significant time when emergency work is required.

Although most work has been completed some follow-up work is required and will take place next Sunday, 23rd February, resulting in rail-replacement bus services being provided between Guildford, Redhill, and Gatwick Airport.

In November 2023, the North Downs line between Guildford and Gatwick Airport was closed for seven days to enable Network Rail to carry out essential reliability improvements.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while their journeys were disrupted as we completed these important upgrades on the North Downs Line. By replacing the wheel timbers on the railway bridge over the River Wey with a synthetic material it will mean fewer closures and disruption for passengers in the future due to their increased lifespan. The level crossing will benefit passengers, motorists and pedestrians as these make the railway safer. I appreciate these closures have been disruptive for passengers and also for motorists due to the road closures and we apologise for any inconvenience they have caused.”

Mark Goodall, Network Rail s Wessex route director