Making tracks: Network Rail’s project on the Brighton main line continues over the coming weekend

Transport authorities are warning rail passengers travelling between Croydon, Purley, Gatwick and the south coast that what would usually be a 30-minute journey could take four times as long this weekend.

Network Rail is conducting extensive engineering works on the Brighton main line this weekend, the third of three scheduled weekends’ works on one of the busiest railway lines in the country.

Passengers can expect to have to use a bus replacement service on many journeys south of Croydon.

Transport for London says, “On Saturday January 24 and Sunday January 25, rail journeys to Gatwick Airport and Brighton will be disrupted due to Network Rail engineering works.

“Direct services to the airport will be available from Victoria, while routes from London Bridge will involve a replacement bus service from East Grinstead.

“Allow at least 90 minutes extra for journeys to Gatwick via either of these routes. Journeys to Brighton and Sussex coast stations are also affected.”

The Network Rail website has full details for all journeys.

Last weekend’s engineering works over-ran into Monday morning, causing further disruption to the weekeday commute.

While this is the final weekend of scheduled works as part of this upgrade project, Network Rail has other line closures scheduled throughout 2026.

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.

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