Key rail routes to be affected by engineering work

Rail passengers are being told to plan their journeys in advance due to disruptions from "vital" engineering work this weekend.

On Sunday, buses will replace trains between East Croydon and Gatwick Airport, including on the routes via Redhill.

Network Rail said that during the closure they will be working on 50 projects, clearing excess vegetation, removing litter and making routine inspections.

Passengers travelling between London and Gatwick Airport are being asked to travel to East Grinstead for rail replacement bus connections, or they can use a direct train service which will take a longer diversion route.

The route will see the Southern trains, running every 30 minutes, leave the airport's station and travel to Horsham, before reversing and continuing to the capital.

Rail replacement bus services will also be available for local journeys, including to and from Purley.

Passengers travelling past the airport to the south coast are advised to travel via East Grinstead, using rail replacement services to connect between East Grinstead and Three Bridges.

Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said: "On Sunday our teams will be working at more than 50 worksites delivering a massive amount of work to ensure that trains continue to run safely and reliably on this crucial section of the Brighton Main Line."

Passengers can check their journey using either the Network Rail or Govia Thameslink Railway journey planner tool.

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