Train bosses have reminded passengers the Brighton mainline will be closed during February half term for engineering works.
Buses will replace trains between Three Bridges and Brighton from Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 February 2027.
Engineers will complete a concentrated programme of track renewals, strengthening of earthworks, new conductor rail and level crossing and tunnel improvements.
They include:
- New rails at Plumpton and Preston Park plus renewed track and switches and crossings at Keymer Junction near Wivelsfield
- Strengthening and stabilisation works at Haywards Heath cutting and the Balcombe Stamford rock cutting
- Structural works at Balcombe Tunnel and install of new rails through the Clayton Tunnel
- New conductor rail between the Clayton Tunnel and Preston Park
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “The Brighton mainline is one of the busiest rail corridors in the country, with complex and intensively used infrastructure.
“This work is vital to reduce faults, improve journey reliability and keep services running safely for years to come.
“We know closing the railway is an inconvenience, but the extended closure over February half-term 2027 allows us to deliver a huge volume of work at once, avoiding repeated disruption across multiple weekends or during the busy summer season.”
Jenny Saunders, Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink Customer Service Director said: ”This major work over February half-term week is crucial to keeping services reliable for our Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink customers.
“We’ve been working on detailed plans to keep customers moving. Trains to and from Brighton will be diverted and buses will replace services on affected routes for nine days, so we’re asking customers to save the dates in their diaries.
“By giving people advance notice, we’re encouraging everyone to think about their travel options over that week in February, especially as some may find it easier to plan to work flexibly where they can.”
During the nine-day closure, a direct train service will run between London Victoria and Brighton, but it will be diverted to use an alternative route via Horsham and Littlehampton, extending journey times.
Passengers travelling between the Brighton and Hove areas and Gatwick Airport or London are encouraged to use this diverted train service rather than replacement buses.
Replacement buses will run on the following routes to help customers complete their journeys:
- Three Bridges via all stations to/from Brighton
- Three Bridges and Lewes via Haywards Heath and Cooksbridge
- Three Bridges and Haywards Heath
- Haywards Heath and Plumpton
- Lewes and East Grinstead (weekdays only)
Train times across the East and West Coastway routes to and from Brighton will also be revised as a result of the closure of the main line.
