Eastbourne commuters face eight more weeks of delay
Network Rail engineers say it will take between six and eight more weeks to repair a 250 metre section of track near Ripe.
The damage, caused by a landslip two weeks ago, means trains travelling between Eastbourne and Lewes have had to slow down to a speed of fewer than five miles per hour before crossing.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdNetwork Rail’s geotechnical manager for the South East, Derek Butcher, said, “We appreciate everyone’s patience while this work takes place and we will have the line back and working at full speed as soon as we can. By reducing the number of trains over the affected area, we also reduce the risk of the slip getting worse.
“The site of the damage is quite isolated so we have spent this week building a road across the fields for our heavy equipment. We have already started putting steel sheets into the ground along 100m of the railway and we will then use that wall of steel to support new embankment material and a further 150m of line will also need work.
“This stretch of railway dates from 1846 and we are repairing the damaged section to modern standards.”
The speed limit on the track is expected to slowly increase as repairs continue.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTrains from Ashford International to Brighton have been terminating at Eastbourne to reduce traffic over the landslip.
This will continue until repairs are completed.
Passengers are advised to check if they will be affected by the delays before travelling.
Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.
Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad1) Make our website your homepage at www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/
2) Like our Facebook page at Text to display
3) Follow us on Twitter @Eastbournenews
4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.
And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!
The Eastbourne Herald - always the first with your local news.
Be part of it.