Buses will replace trains as a significant investment on the Brighton Main Line over the February half-term will improve the reliability of the route into the future.

Network Rail and train operators are urging customers to plan ahead and check before they travel over the February half-term as major engineering work will close a section on the busy Brighton Main Line from Saturday, February 13 to Sunday, February 21, 2027.

The work forms part of a significant investment to improve the reliability and safety of this vital route, which is among the most complex and intensively used in the country.

Engineers will complete a concentrated programme of track renewals, strengthening of earthworks, new conductor rail and level crossing and tunnel improvements.

The work is vital to improve journey reliability for years to come. Picture courtesy of GTR

placeholder image — The work is vital to improve journey reliability for years to come. Picture courtesy of GTR

Key improvements include:

Track renewal: New rails at Plumpton and Preston Park plus renewed track and switches and crossings at Keymer Junction near Wivelsfield to help cut delays and boost performance.

Earthworks: Strengthening and stabilisation works at Haywards Heath cutting and the Balcombe Stamford rock cutting to reduce the risk of landslips and rock falls.

Tunnels: Structural works at Balcombe Tunnel to ensure continued safe operation and install of new rails through the Clayton Tunnel.

Electrical: New conductor rail between the Calyton Tunnel and Preston Park. The conductor rail, also known as the third rail, allows Network Rail to supply power to the trains.

Level crossings: New signalling and renewal of the level crossings at Spatham Lane near Westmeston, and at Hamsey in East Sussex.

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “The Brighton Main Line is one of the busiest rail corridors in the country, with complex and intensively used infrastructure. This work is vital to reduce faults, improve journey reliability and keep services running safely for years to come.

“We know closing the railway is an inconvenience, but the extended closure over February half-term 2027 allows us to deliver a huge volume of work at once, avoiding repeated disruption across multiple weekends or during the busy summer season.”

Jenny Saunders, Southern, Gatwick Express and Thameslink customer service director said: “This major work over February half-term week is crucial to keeping services reliable for our Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink customers. We’ve been working on detailed plans to keep customers moving. Trains to and from Brighton will be diverted and buses will replace services on affected routes for nine days, so we’re asking customers to save the dates in their diaries.

“By giving people advance notice, we’re encouraging everyone to think about their travel options over that week in February, especially as some may find it easier to plan to work flexibly where they can.”

During the nine-day closure, rail replacement buses will run between Three Bridges and Brighton or Lewes via Haywards Heath and other intermediate stations.

There will also be a direct train service between London Victoria and Brighton, but it will be diverted to use an alternative route via Horsham and Littlehampton, extending journey times. Customers travelling between the Brighton and Hove areas and Gatwick Airport or London are encouraged to use this diverted train service rather than replacement buses.

A major information campaign is now getting under way to provide customers with advance notice of the dates. Customers are being advised to plan ahead, and allow extra time for their journeys throughout the nine-day closure.

More information about the work that is being carried out, the impact on journeys and plans for keeping people moving during the work will be available on the Network Rail and train operators’ websites.