Railway works mean no trains through Horsham for nine days next summer

Network Rail says engineers will be rebuilding a ‘crucial section’ of the railway.

From Saturday August 14 to Sunday August 22 2021, no trains will run along much of the Arun Valley line, from Arundel to Three Bridges including Horsham and Crawley, and the Mole Valley line between Horsham and Dorking.

Additionally, there will be two weekends of engineering closures on the July 24 and 25 and July 31 and August 1 2021.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “This investment will be used to replace 1980s track and infrastructure, with new, more reliable equipment that will improve journeys for customers on the two routes, as well as the wider region by reducing delays.

“The work will be carried out over nine consecutive days and two weekends in summer 2021, significantly reducing the overall disruption to passengers when compared with original plans for several bank holiday closures, supported by a long series of weekend closures over two to three years.”

He said the work has been timed to avoid disrupting Brighton Pride 2021 at the start of August.

The spokesman added: “Passengers wishing to travel on these dates will need to allow considerably more time for their journeys and should expect to use either diverted trains via longer routes or a replacement bus or coach to connect with rail services.

“Services on longer distance coastal journeys to Chichester, Littlehampton, Bognor Regis and Portsmouth will still be running, but journeys will take longer.”

Network Rail Southern Region investment director Paul Harwood said: “We never take the decision to close the railway for extended periods lightly and would like to thank passengers for their patience as we work to address historic underinvestment in the region’s railway and enhance the capability of the line.

“This investment was originally planned for several bank holiday closures, supported by a long series of weekend closures over two to three years. By doing the work over nine consecutive days and two weekends, the overall disruption to passengers can be significantly reduced, while fast-tracking the delivery of the reliability, safety and capacity benefits of the project.

“Recognising the importance of the railway to the leisure industry we’ll ensure that alternative routes are fully open on these dates, and we’ve timed the work to avoid Brighton Pride.

“Over the next year, we will continue to work closely with Southern, Thameslink and South Western Railway colleagues, as well as local stakeholders to ensure passengers are made aware of the changes to their journeys and the alternative options to keep them moving.”

Govia Thameslink railway infrastructure director Keith Jipps said: “Network Rail’s work is essential for creating the punctual and reliable railway that our customers deserve.

“We’ll be working to ensure that people have as many alternatives as possible, and these will be shared in good time, but passengers should be aware that journeys will be significantly longer while the work goes on.”

The work will involve the complete renewal of nine sets of old switches and crossings, the movable sections of track that guide trains from one track to another and allow them to cross paths.

A section of rail, sleepers and ballast will also be renewed, and track drainage replaced at Horsham Station.

Network Rail says that Horsham’s Parsonage Road level crossing will also be upgraded to a full barrier CCTV crossing to improve safety. and that it is looking at options to refurbish stations when they are closed.