UK Weather: Major disruption to rail services as storm hits Sussex

Strong winds of 50 – 60mph could batter the Sussex coast today as Storm Austen hits the UK.

The Met Office has warned that transport disruption is ‘likely’, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.

Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services in Sussex have already been disrupted by the following incidents:

• A tree blocking the railway at Moulsecoomb, affecting services between Lewes and Brighton
• A tree blocking the railway at Uckfield, affecting services between Crowborough and Uckfield
• A tree blocking the railway at Balcombe, affecting services between Haywards Heath and Brighton
• A tree blocking the railway at Swanwick, affecting services between Southampton Central and Fareham
• A tree blocking the railway at Angmering, affecting services between Worthing and Angmering

A National Rail spokesperson said: “Please make sure to check your route before you travel.

"You may need to use an alternative route to complete your journey and allow extra time to travel.

"Ticket acceptance and rail replacement buses are being organised to assist you with completing your journey.”

Tickets are being accepted on:

• Brighton & Hove Buses on routes 29/29B/29X for Brighton (St Peter’s Church), Moulsecoomb (Brighton University), Falmer, Lewes (Post Office / Law Courts), Uckfield, Crowborough, Eridge, and Tunbridge Wells
• Metrobus route 272 for Brighton, Preston Park, Hassocks, Burgess Hill, Wivelsfield, Haywards Heath, Three Bridges, Crawley
• Stagecoach route 701 for Lancing, East Worthing, Worthing, West Worthing, Goring by Sea, Durrington (Town), Angmering (Town), Littlehampton
• Southern services between Southampton Central, Brighton, Lewes and London
• Thameslink services between Brighton and London
• South Western Railway services between Southampton Central, Portsmouth Harbour and London Waterloo
• London Underground services between London terminals

Trains are also unable to call at Normans Bay due to a problem with the station lighting following a power cut.

A Southern Rail spokesperson said: “A National Grid power failure in the local area has cut the mains electricity supply to Normans Bay station, leaving station platforms, footbridges, and passenger facilities without lighting.

“Because the station is in darkness, it is unsafe for trains to call and for passengers to board or alight safely. Trains must therefore run non-stop through the station.

“National Grid engineers are working to resolve the wider local power cut, but electricity is not expected to be restored in time for the start of service.

“For journeys to Normans Bay, we recommend travelling to either Pevensey Bay or Cooden Beach, then pressing the green emergency button on a help point there.”