Lewes train derailment update: Haywards Heath railway line reopens on September 1
The train line between Lewes and Haywards Heath has reopened following the derailment in Sussex.
The stretch of line has been closed since an Eastbourne-bound train from London Victoria derailed outside Lewes on Thursday, August 13.
Network Rail said an extensive programme of work to rebuild and reinstate the railway has taken place allowing train services to resume.
It said the railway between Haywards Heath and Lewes would reopen to passenger services on Tuesday, September 1, following the successful completion of a major recovery operation and extensive repairs after the derailment near Lewes.
A spokesperson said: “Engineers have now completed the recovery of the train and the extensive programme of work required to rebuild and reinstate the railway, allowing services to resume in time for the start of the new school term.
“The route has also undergone a rigorous programme of engineering checks and safety assurance processes including successful test train operations, to ensure the railway is safe and reliable for customers.
“Since the derailment, teams from across the railway industry have worked around the clock to recover the train, remove damaged infrastructure and rebuild this section of railway.”
Network Rail said the operation has involved recovering and removing all eight carriages from the site, constructing temporary foundations and working platforms to support heavy lifting equipment, deploying specialist Kirow cranes to recover the derailed vehicles, removing damaged track and ballast, repairing and reinstating the embankment, installing new track and associated infrastructure, reinstating signalling and railway systems, and completing extensive testing and final safety checks.
The company said the location of the derailment, close to the River Ouse and within a sensitive environmental area, added further complexity to the operation, requiring careful planning and close coordination between engineering, environmental and operational teams.
Southern services resumed operating between Haywards Heath and Lewes from the start of service on Tuesday.
Customers are still advised to check before they travel. Journey planners are being updated and the latest information is available at southernrailway.com.
Jenny Saunders, customers services director for Greater Thameslink Railway, which operates Southern Railway, said: “This incident has been incredibly difficult for everyone involved and my thoughts remain with those who were injured, alongside their families, friends and all those affected.
"The closure of the railway has had a significant impact on our customers and the communities we serve. I want to thank passengers for the patience, resilience and understanding they have shown while this work has taken place.
“The successful reopening of the line is only possible because of an extraordinary effort from engineers and railway colleagues who have worked in challenging circumstances to restore services safely and as quickly as possible. We look forward to welcoming customers back onto the railway and returning them to the journeys they rely on every day.”
At 11.40am on Tuesday, Southern posted a video statement from Jenny Saunders to its X profile. She said: “I understand it's been a very disruptive period of time and as we welcome you back this week we will have additional staff on hand at key locations to answer any questions that you might have. Many thanks once again for your patience and we look forward to you travelling with us again soon.”
Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said: “This has been a complex and challenging recovery operation, and I’d like to thank engineers and industry colleagues for the professionalism, skill, and dedication they’ve shown in safely completing the work as quickly as possible to get customers moving again.
“Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the incident, including those who were hospitalised, and their loved ones.
“With repairs now complete, we have reopened the railway between Haywards Heath and Lewes. We understand the disruption that this closure caused, and we’re grateful to customers for their patience while we carried out this essential work to rebuild the railway."
“I’d finally like to thank the community of Landport and the wider Lewes area for their understanding and support for the teams that have been involved with the response to this incident. We know that works of this nature are disruptive, so thank you for bearing with us during our temporary residency in the community.”