Rail passengers urged to plan ahead of major works

Passengers are being advised to plan ahead before travelling as Network Rail is due to carry out improvement works on one of the country's busiest lines.

The works will impact commuters travelling on lines between Brighton, Gatwick Airport and East Croydon over dates in January.

Network Rail said buses would replace trains on the Brighton Main Line, between Gatwick Airport and Purley/East Croydon, lines between Reigate and Redhill, and between Redhill and Tonbridge.

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail Sussex route director, said: "The Brighton Main Line is among the most complex and congested routes in the country, with the infrastructure being some of the oldest and most intensively used."

She added: "The Brighton main line has been a key route for the leisure and tourism industry on the south coast, we are using this typically quieter time on the railway to carry out these vital works."

Network Rail said improvements included:

• Installing new rails and conductor rail, refurbishing switches and crossings at Purley, between Earlswood and Horley and between Merstham and Coulsdon South

• New electric conductor rail to be installed between Redhill and Reigate, the Stoats Nest Junction, between Purley and Coulsdon South

• Earthworks north of Merstham to prevent landslips

• Installing wheel timbers at the Intersect bridge near Godstone and the Brighton Road bridge at Coulsdon South

The works are due to take place on Saturday and Sunday, 17-18 January and 24-25 January.

Network Rail said additional engineering works were planned for 1 February, 21-22 March, and 3 May, with the Brighton Main Line being closed between Brighton/Lewes/Hove and Three Bridges.

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