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Friday 20 Jun 2025

SAVE THE DATE: North Downs Line between Guildford and Reigate to close for two weeks in September with buses replacing trains.

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Network Rail are advising passengers travelling between Guildford and Reigate that the line will be closed for two weeks between Sunday 14 September and Saturday 27 September for critical signalling and level crossing upgrades.

Network Rail’s engineers will be installing and commissioning 16 sets of signals – the railway’s traffic lights - between Shalford and Gomshall. 

The new technology and kit means faults are less likely to occur, providing a safer and more reliable services for passengers, and boosting capacity for more trains to run between Guildford and Gatwick Airport in the future.

While the line is closed engineers will also upgrade four level crossings - Chilworth, Tangley, Brook and Burrows Lane.

Brook and Burrows Lane level crossings are being replaced by state-of-the-art level crossing technology to make them safer for both train and road users. The crossings will be fitted with radars to scan the crossing before trains approach, only lowering the barriers once all vehicles are clear. 

Meanwhile Chilworth and Tangley level crossings will be fitted with CCTV systems, which will be used by the signaller to safely operate the barriers. All four crossings will have new signalling installed and will feedback to Guildford Area Signalling Centre.  

Changes to passenger services

Services from Guildford to Gatwick Airport will be replaced by bus replacement services between Sunday 14 and Saturday 27 September.

Road closures

To complete the installation of the new level crossings, the level crossings need to close. Brooks, Burrows Lane and Chilworth level crossings will be closed from 00:01 on Sunday 14 September to 06:00 Sunday 28 September.

Tangley level crossing will shut from 23:00 on Saturday 13 September to 06:00 Monday 15 September. From September 15 onwards, the crossing will be controlled by traffic management during the days, with full road closures at night (22:00 – 06:00), until 21:59 Thursday 25 September.

Mark Goodall, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “We are advising passengers who use the North Downs Line between Guildford, Reigate and Gatwick Airport to please note the dates of this upcoming closure.

“Upgrading the signalling is critical to ensuring we’re providing a safe and reliable railway and will also increase capacity and allow for additional services to run in future, allowing more passengers across Surrey to connect with Gatwick Airport.”

“We know that there is never a good time to close the railway or level crossings and recognise this may be disruptive to rail passengers, motorists and pedestrians alike.

“We’d like to apologise in advance and thank anyone effected for their patience and understanding while we complete these important upgrades.”

GWR Station Manager for the North Downs Line Andy Gallaugher said: “We would like to thank customers in advance for their patience while Network Rail carry out this vital work; but please do check before you travel, especially if you are a regular to the line.

“As well as helping to ensure the line is more reliable for all who use it, this investment in the railway also continues on the path towards achieving our long-held aspiration to provide additional services between Reading and Gatwick Airport.”

Further information about the work taking place can be found on our frequently updated webpage: North Downs Line signalling upgrade - Network Rail