Passengers in Sussex who must travel urged to plan ahead over Late May Bank Holiday weekend

Network Rail have issued the following press release about engineering work affecting Sussex train services over the Late May Bank Holiday weekend:

• Network Rail and train operators urge people not to use public transport unless absolutely necessary over the late May Bank Holiday
• Network Rail’s engineering works will affect some routes, so those who do need to travel urged to plan ahead

Network Rail is reminding passengers to continue following Government advice around the use of public transport, as it prepares to carry out projects over the Late May Bank Holiday weekend to maintain and upgrade the railway to improve future journeys for passengers.

The advice to passengers remains that they should only use public transport if they have to, and if possible, they should use other methods such as walking, cycling or driving. If a journey must be made by rail, people are urged to follow Government guidelines to keep themselves safe, such as adhering to social distancing guidelines and wearing face coverings.

Passengers who do need to travel are asked to plan their journey in advance to check whether their route is affected by the works taking place.

Shaun King, route director for Sussex said:

“Network Rail will be working hard this late bank holiday weekend to improve the railway in Sussex and provide better and more reliable services.

“Passengers have shown themselves to be incredibly understanding while we invest heavily to improve our railway and I’d like to thank them in advance for their support. I urge passengers to only travel if you have to and check your journey ahead of time."

Chris Fowler, Customer Services Director for Southern and Gatwick Express, said:

“We also thank our passengers who need to travel over the weekend for their patience while Network Rail carry out this vital work to further improve the reliability of services to and from Sussex.

“There will be no trains between South Croydon and East Grinstead or Uckfield over the three-day weekend, and replacement bus services will run to and from Purley. Buses will also replace trains between Ore and Ashford International.

“Please follow the government advice to travel only if absolutely necessary, and avoid public transport if at all possible. If you really have to use a train or bus, it is important to check routes and times before you set off, follow social distancing guidance and wear a face covering if you can.”

In line with Government advice, Network Rail continues to proceed with engineering work that is required to maintain a safe and operational railway.

The major projects to be carried out over this Late May Bank Holiday include:

• Tunnel maintenance taking place at Oxted, Edenbridge and Riddlesdown
• Switches and crossings upgraded at Lingfield and Woldingham along with track renewal at Oxted
• No Southern trains will run between South Croydon and East Grinstead / Uckfield. Passengers should travel via Purley for a replacement bus service

Buses will run between:

• Purley and East Grinstead (these buses will not call at Riddlesdown or Sanderstead)
• Oxted and Edenbridge Town
• Edenbridge Town and Uckfield

You may use your ticket on Southeastern services via Tunbridge Wells, and on TfL Bus route 412 to / from Riddlesdown.

Passengers who do need to travel are advised to check their journeys in advance, either with their train operator directly or via nationalrail.co.uk/May and following #MayBHworks on Twitter.

Notes to Editors

Safety is our priority so at a local level, we are prioritising inspections and patrols, and the work that comes up as a result of those patrols. Where we have to renew track because it is life-expired (too old to continue), we are doing that too. As kit gets older, it needs more work to keep it going, which will be harder to achieve with COVID-19.

The Government has classed Network Rail as a critical service so our engineers and suppliers will still be working and travelling to work. However, we are looking after our people - we’ve hired extra vans so people can be socially distant, and we’re asking teams on site to keep their distance too. We’re also following rules on social isolation and home working where possible.

There are jobs where it is not possible to keep two metres distance and we are working with our teams to see if we can either stop those jobs or come up with ways to do those jobs safely (including minimising time and proximity).

The most important thing is that we keep the railway running for critical workers and that when this crisis is over, it’s in good shape to play a massive role in rebuilding our economy.

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Leonard Bennett
Leonard.Bennett@networkrail.co.uk