Media centre

Tuesday 12 Jan 2021

Residents and passengers thanked as embankment works at Salfords which affected weekend travel on the Brighton Main Line is completed

Region & Route:

Southern: Sussex

| Southern

Network Rail has reopened the railway in the Salfords area (near Gatwick) and train services are back to normal, following successful repair works over weekend.

Network Rail teams and contractors have worked around the clock to stabilise the railway embankment between Horley and Salfords. Due to heavy rain, there had been significant movement on a section of the embankment which was picked up by monitoring systems, and a 5mph speed restriction was in place.

The repair works involved delivering sheet piles to the area, using a crane to lift the sheet piles into place. The piles were then installed into the embankment to stabilise it; this solution will last for a hundred years and help provide resilience against the effects of climate change.

Shaun King, route director, Sussex said:

“I’d like to thank our engineers and contractors who have worked hard throughout the weekend to repair the embankment and reopen the line as quickly as possible. We understand the inconvenience this incident has caused and appreciate the patience of the local community while we have carried out these vital works.”

“I’d also like to apologise to passengers for the disruption while these emergency works were carried out.”

Angie Doll, Managing Director for Southern and Gatwick Express, said:

“We are pleased that Network Rail have completed these urgent repairs on time so we can now run our full service, and I join Network Rail in thanking everyone affected for their patience.”