Network Rail is advising passengers to plan travel in advance this Easter, as engineering work takes place across Sussex and South London.

Between Friday, 3 April and Monday, 6 April, Network Rail engineers are set to carry out essential maintenance, including renewing outdated points, refurbishing key infrastructure, and performing earthworks to prevent landslips on the Sussex network.

Key projects include soil nailing at Stone Cross cutting to stabilise steep slopes and reduce the risk of landslips. Points at Bognor are being upgraded to ensure safe track changes for trains.

Footbridge works are also underway, with a new footbridge being installed at Birch Foot Crossing near Bognor Regis, and the footbridge at Hampden Park station being reinstalled after off-site refurbishment since February.

Additional maintenance is taking place between Tulse Hill, Sutton, and Wimbledon, where switches and crossings are being upgraded.

Travel between Eastbourne and Hastings/Ore, as well as between Eastbourne and Ashford International, will be disrupted over the Easter weekend.  

On Easter Sunday, Southern services between London Victoria and Portsmouth Harbour, Brighton and Southampton Central, and Littlehampton and Bognor Regis are also expected to be affected.

Network Rail emphasises that while most trains will run normally, passengers should plan ahead to avoid delays during the busy Easter period.

“We really appreciate our customers’ patience while Network Rail carries out these improvement programmes, and we are sorry for the inconvenience and additional journey time some passengers will experience. We are working closely with Network Rail to plan this work for when it is least disruptive, and the result will mean more reliable journeys for everyone. 

“We’re advising people to check journey planners in advance.” 

Jenny Saunders, Southern’s Customer Service Director.