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Friday 31 Jan 2025

Landslip repair to begin on Brighton Main Line

Region & Route:

Southern

Work to repair a significant landslip between Three Bridges and Gatwick on the Brighton Main Line will begin on Sunday evening. Train services will continue to be disrupted and Network Rail will issue a further update as soon as possible. 

Since the landslip, caused by substantial rainfall, was discovered at Tinsley Green by engineers on the afternoon of 27th January, Network Rail has been developing a plan to repair the damage along a 30-metre stretch of the railway. 

There are four tracks on this section of the railway, and the nature of the landslip means that only one track has been taken out of use, meaning that trains can still run through the area, although there will continue to be changes to services. 

Network Rail has been talking to local residents and businesses to warn of the potential for increased noise levels while steel piles are installed along the railway embankment, and providing people with an opportunity to ask questions at a drop-in session on Sunday morning, between 10:00 – 12:00 at the Network Rail office at Cover House on Hazelwick Avenue. 

The first phase of work will allow for the installation of 6-metre long steel piles, which will be done at track level over the next week. Engineers will be installing a steel beam to the back of the sheet pile wall, attaching anchors into the ground beneath the track.  

The second phase of work will be carried out from the bottom of the embankment, when the slope of the embankment will need to be rebuilt with new material added to the earthworks. It is expected that this part of the work will be less disruptive to passenger and freight trains. 

Network Rail’s Sussex route director, Lucy McAuliffe said: “We know that there’s never a good time to close any tracks on the railway, but the Brighton Main Line is a crucial link between the south coast, Gatwick Airport and the capital. Repairing this landslip now will stop it getting worse. 

“It is a challenging site to work on, and we are very mindful of our neighbours. But by doing this work as safely and as efficiently as possible, we can get the railway fully reopened as soon as we can”. 

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Govia Thameslink Railway which runs Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express, said: “Regrettably, these significant and essential repairs that Network Rail must make to the embankment will continue to disrupt our service. 

“Trains may be delayed and be busier than usual, especially during the morning and evening peak. Please check our websites and online journey planners such as nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information before setting off.”