Train passengers travelling between Brighton, Lewes and Seaford faced disruption, after urgent railway repairs led to the line being closed overnight.

In an urgent update posted at 5.30am on Friday (August 21), Southern warned that several stations would not be served by its trains ‘until further notice’.

The operator said: "While this disruption is ongoing, we will be making the following changes to services."

Trains which normally run between Eastbourne and Brighton only operated between Eastbourne and Lewes.

Southern trains cannot serve Seaford railway station, until further notice. Photo: Google Street View

placeholder image — Southern trains cannot serve Seaford railway station, until further notice. Photo: Google Street View

Southern said the following stations would not be served by its services, ‘until further notice’: Seaford; Bishopstone; Newhaven Harbour; Newhaven Town; Falmer; Moulsecoomb and London Road (Brighton).

Normal service has since resumed.

On Friday morning, passengers travelling to or from Newhaven Town, Bishopstone and Seaford were told to use their train tickets on Brighton and Hove buses number 12.

Southern said: "This will take up to an additional 45 minutes to complete your journey."

Those travelling to or from Falmer and Moulsecoomb were told to use Brighton and Hove bus number 29, with Southern warning: "This will take up to an additional 25 minutes to complete your journey."

The disruption followed an announcement by Southern, on Thursday evening, that Network Rail would be taking an ‘additional possession’ of the railway between Brighton and Lewes.

Southern said this meant the line would be closed overnight, with a number of late-night and early-morning services either cancelled or terminating short of their destinations.

The operator warned passengers travelling in the affected areas to ‘check your journey before travelling and allow extra time, as late-night rail services will not run’.

Replacement buses were provided overnight, including services from Lewes to Seaford, Brighton to Seaford and Seaford to Brighton.

Southern also confirmed replacement buses for Friday morning, including the 4.50am service from Seaford to Brighton, operated by Group Travel, and the 5.24am service from Seaford to Lewes, operated by Triangle.

Passengers were urged to check online journey planners and station departure boards for the latest information.

Southern also accepted tickets on a number of alternative services.

These included Brighton and Hove buses number 12 between Brighton, Newhaven Town, Bishopstone, Seaford and Eastbourne, and buses number 29/29x between Brighton, Moulsecoomb, Falmer, Lewes, Uckfield, Crowborough, Eridge and Tunbridge Wells.

Train tickets were also being accepted on Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services between Brighton and Gatwick Airport, as well as Southeastern services between Hastings and London Charing Cross.

Southern first announced the urgent repairs at 8.27pm on Thursday, saying: "Due to urgent repairs to the railway between Brighton and Lewes. Services between Brighton, Lewes, and Seaford will be replaced with buses tonight and early tomorrow morning."

The operator advised passengers to check journey planners before setting off as the situation developed.