Southern Rail: Disruption between Sussex and Surrey ends after track fault, fire and safety inspection

The disruption began with a track fault on Saturday morning (July 25), and was followed by a fire, later in the day, between Uckfield and Edenbridge Town.

The initial incident was reported by Southern at around 10.45am, when the operator announce: "There is a train fault blocking the lines between Uckfield and Oxted.

"Services running between these stations will be delayed, cancelled, or revised."

Passengers were later told: "If you are travelling between Uckfield and Oxted then please plan and allow an additional 60 minutes."

Southern subsequently announced that the lines had reopened between Oxted and Crowborough, saying: "This means you can travel on your booked route again between these two stations."

However, passengers travelling to Uckfield or Buxted were advised to speak to station staff, with Southern saying: "An alternative route will be provided."

Lines briefly reopened but the situation worsened when Southern reported a fire between Uckfield and Edenbridge Town.

The operator said: "Services running between these stations will be cancelled until further notice."

Passengers were told: "If you are travelling today on this route, you should only travel if essential."

Southern said trains would not call at Edenbridge Town, Hever, Cowden, Ashurst, Eridge, Crowborough, Buxted and Uckfield.

A rail replacement bus service was introduced between Uckfield and Oxted, stopping at all stations except Hever.

Later on Saturday, Southern said: "We've been able to resource some replacement buses, so you may be able to use these to get to your destination."

It also announced changes to its services, saying: "Trains that normally run between Uckfield and London Bridge will run between East Grinstead and London Bridge."

As the disruption continued into Sunday, Southern announced that a safety inspection of the track between Oxted and Uckfield would take place.

At around 6am, the train company warned: "Due to a safety inspection of the track between Oxted and Uckfield all lines will be blocked.

"Train services running to and from these stations will be cancelled."

Disruption was initially expected to continue until around 12.30pm, but Southern later said the inspection would last longer.

The operator warned: "Unfortunately, the safety inspection is going to last until 14:00 today."

Services normally running between East Croydon and Uckfield were suspended, with stations including Edenbridge Town, Hever, Cowden, Ashurst, Eridge, Crowborough, Buxted and Uckfield not served.

A reduced service operated between East Croydon and Oxted.

Southern advised passengers: "If you must travel this morning then you will have to use alternative transport between Uckfield and Oxted."

It was ‘strongly recommended’ that people ‘travel later today where possible’.

Replacement buses were confirmed, with the first services leaving Uckfield for Oxted at 9.34am and Oxted for Uckfield at 9.38am.

Passengers were able to use tickets at no extra cost on alternative Southern and Thameslink services, including routes through Haywards Heath and Lewes, as well as Southeastern services between Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and London.

Tickets were also accepted on London Underground services between London Terminals and certain Brighton & Hove Buses routes.

At around 2pm on Sunday, Southern confirmed that the disruption had ended, stating: "Disruption caused by this incident has now ended. No further trains will be affected following this disruption."

If you have been delayed by 15 minutes or longer, you may be entitled to delay repay compensation.