East Sussex rail services disrupted by engineering overruns and faulty train
Rail passengers faced cancellations and delays on Tuesday morning, after overrunning engineering works and a faulty train disrupted services between Uckfield and Crowborough.
Southern Rail said the first two services to and from Uckfield were cancelled on October 20, with other trains terminating at Crowborough and starting their return journeys there.
Southern said: “The first two services to and from Uckfield were cancelled this morning due to overrunning engineering works and a fault on one of the trains, which caused knock-on delays to other services travelling through the area.”
Trains were terminated at Crowborough and started their return journeys there, leaving Uckfield and Buxted without services during the disruption.
Passengers were told: “Please allow at least an additional 45 minutes to complete your journey.”
Southern said limited tracks and signalling flexibility on parts of the route restricted options for diverting trains around the problem. It said it was working with Network Rail controllers to clear the line and restore the timetable.
The operator also warned: “Unfortunately, Uckfield and Buxted won't have an alternative public transport option.”
It said it would try to provide replacement road transport, but warned passengers there could be a long wait.
The line subsequently reopened and, in an update at 7.45am, Southern advised: “Services are returning to normal following this issue.”
Apologising to passengers, the operator said: “We are very sorry for the disruption to your journey this morning and thank you for your patience.”
Passengers delayed by 15 minutes or more at their destination may be eligible for compensation through Southern’s Delay Repay scheme.