A dedicated website – www.BrightonMainLine.co.uk– will enable passengers to find out how the closures affect their journeys.  Most of these closures take place during weekends, with the exception of an extended nine-day closure in February 2019, which includes the school half-term.

During these closure periods, no trains will run between Three Bridges and Brighton or between Three Bridges and Lewes. Rail replacement buses will be in operation, as well as diverted trains between London and Brighton via Littlehampton. Passengers should allow considerably more time for their journeys during these periods. Click here for the current programme of line closures

The improvement work will focus on four Victorian-era tunnels – Balcombe, Clayton, Patcham and Haywards Heath – and the railway which runs through them. A major programme to stem leaks into the tunnels and provide reliable drainage away from the tracks will take place, while sections of the track, third rail power system and signalling will be replaced or upgraded. Elsewhere, track will be renewed, sets of points, which enable trains to switch between tracks, will be replaced and fencing will be improved to deter trespassers. The programme will reduce delays on the line by around 15% when complete.