Network Rail and Southern Railway have confirmed plans to reopen the railway line between Haywards Heath and Lewes to passenger services on Tuesday 1 September following repairs after a derailment earlier this month.

The line has been closed since the derailment of a Southern service near Lewes station on Thursday 13 August. The train involved was the 14:24 service from London Victoria to Eastbourne, which derailed at approximately 15:54.

First carriage lift on site of the derailment near Lewes

© Network Rail

A recovery operation has been under way to remove the train and assess the damage to the railway and embankment. The work includes lifting three derailed carriages and removing a further five carriages using two large cranes.

Engineers are also removing damaged track and ballast, reinstating the embankment and track, and restoring signalling and other systems required for railway operations.

Due to the location of the derailment near the River Ouse, temporary foundations and platforms have been constructed to support heavy machinery and specialist Kirow cranes during the recovery operation.

Before passenger services resume, Network Rail will carry out testing and inspections of the reinstated infrastructure.

Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex Route Director for Network Rail, said:

My thoughts and those of our teams continue to be with those who were injured, their families and friends and with all those who have been affected by this incident.

I can only apologise for the disruption that this incident is causing to people’s journeys, and I want to personally thank people for their patience and their understanding alongside the many rail industry colleagues supporting the recovery.

The location of the derailment, which happened in close proximity to the River Ouse, means that reinstatement of the site is particularly complex, with teams working round the clock to reopen the line for customers as soon and as safely as possible. The recovery is being carried out with careful consideration for the area around the derailment site, ensuring the area’s ecology is protected and being mindful of residents living nearby.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) is conducting an investigation into the cause of the derailment. Initial findings were published on 19 August.

Customers are advised to check Southern Railway’s latest travel information before travelling while recovery and repair work continues.

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