Brighton Main Line: improvement works planned for January

Network Rail has scheduled weekend engineering works on the Brighton Main Line for 17–18 and 24–25 January, and said buses will replace trains on several sections during those dates.

The Brighton Main Line will undergo Network Rail improvement works on selected weekends in January. The planned work affects routes serving Brighton, Gatwick Airport and East Croydon and includes temporary closures and bus replacements on some sections. Network Rail said it chose this typically quieter period to carry out repairs on a complex and heavily used route. Lucy McAuliffe, the Sussex route director, described the infrastructure as some of the oldest and most intensively used on the network. Key details: - Work is scheduled for the weekends of 17–18 January and 24–25 January. - Network Rail said buses will replace trains on the Brighton Main Line between Gatwick Airport and Purley/East Croydon, on the line between Reigate and Redhill, and between Redhill and Tonbridge. - Major track works include installing new rails and conductor rail and refurbishing switches and crossings at Purley, between Earlswood and Horley, and between Merstham and Coulsdon South. - Additional work includes new electric conductor rail at Redhill–Reigate and Stoats Nest Junction, earthworks north of Merstham to reduce landslip risk, and installing wheel timbers at bridges near Godstone and Coulsdon South. - Network Rail said further engineering days are planned for 1 February, 21–22 March and 3 May, when the Brighton Main Line will be closed between Brighton/Lewes/Hove and Three Bridges. Summary: The scheduled work is intended to renew track and related infrastructure on a heavily used south coast route and will involve temporary closures and bus replacements on the listed dates. Network Rail has announced additional engineering days in February, March and May to carry out further work.