Save the date and plan ahead as February 2027 work closes railway between Three Bridges and Brighton/Lewes for nine days

Network Rail and train operators are urging passengers to save the date for February half term next year when major engineering work will close a section on the busy Brighton Main Line from Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 February 2027.

The work forms part of a significant investment to improve the reliability and safety of this vital route, which is among the most complex and intensively used in the country.

Engineers will complete a concentrated programme of track renewals, strengthening of earthworks, drainage repairs, bridge maintenance and tunnel improvements.

Key improvements include:

• Track renewal: New rails at Plumpton and Haywards Heath, plus renewed track, and switches and crossings at Preston Park. Additional improvements at Keymer Junction near Wivelsfield will help cut delays and boost performance.
• Earthworks: Strengthening and stabilisation works at Haywards Heath cutting and the Balcombe Stamford rock cutting to reduce the risk of landslips and rock falls.
• Drainage: Repairs to drainage systems at Stone Hall Bridge, near Balcombe, to protect the track and improve water management.
• Bridges: Essential maintenance on the historic Ouse Valley Viaduct to preserve the structure for the long term.
• Tunnels: Structural works at Balcombe Tunnel to ensure continued safe operation.

Jenny Saunders, Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink Customer Service Director said: “This major work next year is crucial to keeping services reliable for our Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink customers. Trains will be diverted and buses will replace services on affected routes for nine days, so we’re asking passengers to save the dates in their diaries.

“By giving people as much notice as possible, we’re encouraging everyone to begin thinking about their travel options for next February, especially as some may find it easier to plan to work flexibly where they can over the affected period.”

During the nine-day closure, trains will start and terminate at Three Bridges with rail replacement buses running between Three Bridges and Brighton/Lewes. Southern will run a direct train service between London Victoria and Brighton but it will be diverted via the Arun Valley and Littlehampton, extending journey times.

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “The Brighton Main Line 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.”

Later this year a major communications and information campaign will get under way to provide passengers with more details on the plans for keeping people moving during the works. Passengers will be advised to plan ahead, and allow extra time for their journeys throughout the nine-day closure. Online journey planners such as National Rail Enquiries will be updated closer to the time.

Notes to Editors