Train operators Southern and Thameslink are advising passengers travelling between London, Gatwick Airport and Sussex during the weekend of Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 February to plan their journey in advance, as engineering work will mean a very restricted service on the Brighton main line.
Network Rail are renewing tracks between Purley and Gatwick, and progressing the airport station’s major redevelopment.
Journeys will take considerably longer than normal, so anyone planning to use the train to catch a flight should allow plenty of additional time.
Southern’s Customer Services Director Chris Fowler said: “We’re sorry for the inconvenience to customers during Network Rail’s essential work. They’re transforming Gatwick Airport station and keeping this busy route in good shape.
“While we’ve arranged alternatives for our customers to get where they need to be, several routes are affected and journeys will take longer than normal, so please check your routes and times on a journey planner, or the Southern or Thameslink website, well ahead of your journey.”
Passengers travelling from London to the airport are advised to use a special two-trains-per-hour service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport via Epsom and Horsham. People travelling between Brighton and London should use this service, changing at Three Bridges, or use the replacement bus service between Three Bridges and East Grinstead to connect with London trains there.
Two trains per hour will run between Brighton and the airport.
For those who need to travel on the main line north of Gatwick, an hourly train service between Redhill and Gatwick Airport will be supported by replacement buses. Travellers in either direction will need to change at Redhill. However, services between London and Redhill will be limited on the Saturday, and even more limited on the Sunday, when buses will replace trains between Purley and Redhill.
The special Victoria – Gatwick Airport service via Epsom means that the normal Saturday service between London and Horsham via Dorking will not run. Hourly buses will run between Dorking and Horsham.
Katie Frost, Network Rail’s Sussex Route Director, said: “I’m really grateful for passengers’ patience as we carry out critical work that will improve reliability in the long run. Our engineers will be carrying out essential track maintenance to reduce delays and also continuing work on the transformation of Gatwick Airport Station, significantly completing the installation of seven new escalators.”
As previously announced, Network Rail’s major engineering programme in the Haywards Heath area means that the Brighton Main Line will be closed between Three Bridges and Brighton/Lewes on 12/13 and 19-27 February, 5/6 March and 3 April.
Photo credit: Network Rail
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