Brighton Main Line disruption as engineering work carried out

There will be no through trains on the main line between London and Gatwick on 20 and 21 January

Commuters travelling on the Brighton Main Line are expected to face disruption over the weekend as engineers carry out upgrades.

The improvements will aim to increase reliability of trains in the south coast of England, Network Rail said.

As a result, there will be no through trains on the main line between London and Gatwick on 20 and 21 January.

Network Rail's Sussex route director Lucy McAuliffe said it was a "rare chance" to work on a busy track.

'Frustrating for passengers'

Engineers will renew 1,500m of track, as well as improve sleepers, ballast and three sets of points on the Brighton Main Line between Gatwick and Purley.

The work will mean a long diversion for trains between London and Gatwick Airport, and a limited service between the Sussex coast and Three Bridges, Network Rail said.

Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway have urged passengers to plan ahead and check before they travel.

Jenny Saunders, customer services director for Southern and Thameslink, apologised for the disruption.

"While we've arranged alternatives to help our customers get where they need to be, several routes are affected and many journeys will take considerably longer than normal," she said.

Ms McAuliffe added: "We understand it's frustrating for passengers in the short term when we divert trains, but this is a rare chance for us to undertake major work on such a busy section of track that will help us run a more reliable railway in the long term."

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