Media centre

Thursday 13 Feb 2014

Sussex media update: Rail firms watching the water

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail is working with the Environment Agency to closely monitor rising ground water levels in Patcham area outside Brighton, where the Brighton Main Line runs through a tunnel in the South Downs.

Network Rail’s route managing director for Sussex, Tim Robinson, said: “We are keeping a close eye on the groundwater levels at Patcham. We can currently run Brighton Main Line services but if the groundwater levels rise above the railway we will have to divert trains around the problem. As soon as we think this is likely we will work with Southern and First Capital Connect to get the message out as quickly as possible to passengers.

“Groundwater is our main concern in Sussex, but we are also monitoring the Adur and Mole rivers. So far, we have no concerns in those areas but again, we remain vigilant.

“For now we continue to ask passengers on this and other routes to check before they travel given the continuing bad weather, flooding and land slips we are experiencing across the region.”

Southern’s Managing Director, Chris Burchell said: “We and Network Rail are monitoring ground water levels around our network. Should flooding occur in the coming days, we will ensure that we are able to respond by introducing contingency plans quickly, and making sure that our passengers are kept well informed about their travel options.”

Water levels in the Patcham area are 44 metres above average and will flood the railway when they reach 47. Whether it does so depends entirely on rainfall in the next few days. The railway has already been raised to protect from flooding and extra pumps have been installed to maintain services as long as possible.

Trains between Oxted and Woldingham remain suspended due to a landslip at Oxted, however Network Rail is working around the clock with the objective of reinstating a limited service to begin over the affected section next week.