Sussex trains disrupted amid 'fire next to the track'; Gatwick Express services suspended

A fire next to the track in the Clapham Junction area has caused major disruption in surrounding areas, with services in Sussex feeling the impact.

Gatwick Express services have been suspended. Southern Rail services are unable to run to and from London Victoria ‘until further notice’.

Customers have been told to use Thameslink services to and from London Bridge, allowing at least 60 minutes extra to complete your journey.

A Gatwick Express spokesperson said: “We've received reports of a fire near the track earlier today, which has lead to disruption to train services to and from London Victoria. The fire has caused damage to signalling equipment on the route and until repairs have been carried out, train services will be unable to run.

"Services that normally run between London Victoria and Brighton have been suspended.

"If you are travelling between London and Brighton, you are recommend to use Thameslink services to / from London Bridge instead. You can use London Buses and London Underground services to connect between London Victoria and London Bridge at no extra cost

“Services that normally run between London Victoria and East Grinstead will divert to London Bridge where possible, however the service to / from East Grinstead will be reduced. If you are travelling from Lingfield, Dormans or East Grinstead you can use Metrobus route 281 to connect to alternative Thameslink services to London at Three Bridges

“Services that normally run between London Victoria and Arundel will continue to run where possible, however they will terminate and restart at earlier stations than usual."

Tickets will be accepted at no extra cost on the following services, according to Gatwick Express:

Alternative Southern and Thameslink services between London stations and Brighton

• London Underground services between London stations
• London Buses between London Victoria, London Bridge and East Croydon
• London Trams between East Croydon and Wimbledon
• Southeastern services on any reasonable route towards your destination
• London Overground services between Canada Water and Norwood Junction
• London Trams between East Croydon and Wimbledon
• South Western Railway services between London Waterloo and Leatherhead via Wimbledon
• Metrobus services on route 281 between Lingfield, Dormans (Station Road) , East Grinstead, Three Bridges, Crawley
• Stagecoach buses on routes: 11 between Worthing, West Worthing, Goring-by-Sea, Littlehampton; 700 between Brighton, Hove, Portslade, Fishersgate, Southwick, Shoreham-by-Sea, Lancing (Town), East Worthing, Worthing, West Worthing, Goring-by-Sea (Town), Durrington.

You can also travel on rail replacement buses between Tulse Hill and Sutton at no extra cost.

Tickets dated for today (September 27) will also be accepted on services tomorrow, Monday, September 28, at no additional cost, the rail service said.

For further updates, visit: www.gatwickexpress.com/service-updates/service-updates.