Essential engineering: Network Rail says that the Brighton main line is among the most complex and busiest of rail lines, operating on some of the oldest infrastructure

Engineering works on one of the country’s busiest railway lines will continue throughout 2026 say the train operators and Network Rail

Railway engineering works will see the Brighton main line between East Croydon and Gatwick Airport closed this weekend and for the two following weekends – January 17-18 and 24-25 – affecting services from Purley and the Reigate and Redhill branch and services between Tonbridge and Redhill.

Replacement buses will be in operation along most of the sections where trains are not running. Buses will also be running to link Three Bridges or Gatwick Airport to and from East Grinstead, from where frequent trains will be running in and out of central London via East Croydon.

In addition, a train service will run between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria using a diversionary route, calling at Clapham Junction.

According to a statement issued by Southern Rail today, passengers are “asked to plan their journeys in advance”. Which for many will mean opting for the car.

Additional engineering works will take place on Sunday February 1, and Saturday and Sunday March 21 and 22 and Sunday May 3 with the Brighton main line being closed between Brighton, Lewes, Hove and Three Bridges.

Your bus schedule this weekend: anyone who needs to get to Gatwick or the south coast over the next three weekends has some serious planning to do

The Brighton main line is among the most complex and congested rail routes in the country, but has to operate with some of the oldest infrastructure.

“We know that closing the railway at any time of the year causes inconvenience, but with the Brighton main line being a key route for the leisure and tourism industry on the south coast, we are using this typically quieter time on the railway to carry out these vital works, in an attempt to avoid having to close the railway during busier times of the year,” said Network Rail’s Lucy McAuliffe.

The works being carried out over the next five months include:

• Track renewal: installing new rails and conductor rail, plus refurbishing switches and crossings to improve performance with new rail at Purley, between Earlswood and Horley and between Merstham and Coulsdon South.
• New electric conductor rail will be installed between Redhill and Reigate and Stoats Nest Junction, between Purley and Coulsdon South, will also be refurbished.
• Earthworks: strengthening a cutting north of Merstham to provide stable foundations and prevent landslips.
• Drainage: repairing the drainage systems along three miles of track at Caterham to manage water effectively and reduce potential delays.
• Bridges: installing wheel timbers – long blocks of wood that support the track – at the intersect bridge near Godstone and the Brighton Road bridge at Coulsdon South to maintain structural integrity.
• Access points: Adding a new road-rail access point near Purley for construction vehicles to access the track and make repairs.

Even then, not all the works required will be completed. Network Rail and Southern intend to defer further weekend closures over the busier summer months, but say, ominously, “there will be some weekend closures in the latter half 2026”.

Network Rail will provide details on those closer to the time.

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