No trains between Three Bridges, Brighton and Lewes for 9 days
From Saturday 19 February to Sunday 27 February 2022, the railway will close between Three Bridges and Brighton, and Lewes while major works take place.
Alternative train and bus arrangements are in place while engineers carry out vital upgrades on the Sussex railway.
What work are Network Rail delivering?
Over the 9-day closure, and weekends before and after, Network Rail are delivering a more than £15 million investment.
Key projects are the rebuild of Copyhold Junction near Haywards Heath, track renewals at Burgess Hill, Preston Park and in the Clayton tunnel, and the construction of a new underpass at Hassocks.
To make the most of the closures, minimise disruption in the future and deliver even more journey improvements for passengers they’ve worked hard to bring additional work into the project.
• Rebuilding a collapsed culvert in the Balcombe tunnel to prevent water build-up which has been an issue in the tunnel since its construction.
• Installation of fibre optic cable between Three Bridges and Brighton during the blockade. The fibre optic will be run from Brighton to London Victoria and London Bridge when the work is complete, enhancing connectivity along the route for passengers as well as other users.
• Embankment and cutting stabilisation at Balcombe, Lewes, Haywards Heath and Hassocks using a mix of king post wall installations and soil nails to prevent delays from speed restrictions.
• Clayton tunnel inspections / maintenance including brickwork repairs to tunnel portal, shafts, and lining.
• Enhanced maintenance and inspections across closed track including wet bed removal.
• Tree planting and biodiversity improvements at Haywards Heath, Wivelsfield, Burgess Hill, Hassocks, including a dormice bridge at Balcombe.
• Refurb of Spatham Lane level crossing near Cooksbridge.
What stations are impacted?
Buses will replace trains between Three Bridges, Brighton and Lewes.
There will be changes to train services across the Southern and Thameslink networks and significantly longer journey times for some passengers, so please allow extra time if travelling on affected dates.
No trains will serve the following stations:
• Balcombe
• Haywards Heath
• Wivelsfield
• Burgess Hill
• Hassocks
• Preston Park
• Plumpton
• Cooksbridge.
What are the key dates?
• Saturday 19 – Sunday 27 February 2022 (main 9-day blockade)
• Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 March 2022
• Sunday 3 April 2022
What does this mean for passenger journeys?
There will be changes to train services across the Southern and Thameslink networks and significantly longer journey times for some passengers, so please allow extra time if travelling on these dates.
While the work takes place, a train service will run between Brighton and London Victoria in both directions, using a diverted route via Littlehampton and Horsham. If you are travelling between Brighton or Hove and London, you can use this direct train service to avoid the need to change between buses and trains at Three Bridges.
On all dates, replacement buses will be running across the closed sections of line to help you complete your journeys.
Plan ahead at www.nationalrail.co.uk
Balcombe Parish Council 