Network Rail and Southern Railway confirm 1 September planned reopening of Haywards Heath to Lewes line

The railway line between Haywards Heath and Lewes will reopen to passenger services on Tuesday 1 September following a major recovery operation and repairs to the track after the derailment on Thursday 13 August.

As work continues to recover and repair the track, Network Rail and Southern Railway today thanked customers and local communities for their understanding and patience during the disruption.

Customers should continue to check online at southernrailway.com for the latest travel advice.

Since the derailment, a complex programme of work has been under way to move the train and to understand the full extent of the damage to the track and embankment. This will enable engineers to safely repair the railway, including replacing track and reinstating signalling systems.

This recovery effort has taken a huge amount of planning, along with the creation of temporary foundations and platforms for the heavy machinery and specialist Kirow cranes to allow this work to take place.

With a clear plan in place to complete site clearance and the extensive reinstatement work required, Network Rail and Southern Railway can now confirm that the railway will reopen in time for customers returning to their regular travel patterns at the end of the summer holidays.

Before the railway reopens, engineers will complete a rigorous programme of testing and inspections to ensure the infrastructure is safe and reliable for passengers.

Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex Route Director for Network Rail said: “My thoughts and those of our teams continue to be with those who were injured, their families and friends and with all those who have been affected by this incident.

“I can only apologise for the disruption that this incident is causing to people’s journeys, and I want to personally thank people for their patience and their understanding alongside the many rail industry colleagues supporting the recovery.

“The location of the derailment, which happened in close proximity to the River Ouse, means that reinstatement of the site is particularly complex, with teams working round the clock to reopen the line for customers as soon and as safely as possible. The recovery is being carried out with careful consideration for the area around the derailment site, ensuring the area’s ecology is protected and being mindful of residents living nearby.”

John Whitehurst, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR), which operates Southern Railway, said: “This incident has been incredibly hard for everyone and I can only imagine how difficult it must be for those directly involved, along with their friends and family.

“The aftermath is also having a real impact on our customers’ lives through longer, more difficult journeys, which is why we’ve been doing our level best to keep people moving through alternative transport and additional staff at stations.

“Getting the line open in time for the end of the school holidays is an absolute priority for us, and we are working closely with Network Rail to achieve this despite very challenging circumstances.

“I would like to pay tribute to not only the work and efforts of everyone involved in the response, but also to the community for their patience and ongoing assistance as we work together to recover the railway safely.”