Disruption between Brighton and Haywards Heath expected until 17:15  

Route(s) affected

Gatwick Express between Brighton and London Victoria and Brighton

Southern between Littlehampton and London Victoria / London Bridge, and also between Brighton and London Victoria

Thameslink between Brighton and Bedford / Cambridge

Description

A train hitting an obstruction on the line between Brighton and Haywards Heath means trains have to run at a reduced speed on some lines. As a result, trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised.

Disruption is expected until 17:15.

Customer advice:

Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Southern services are being delayed in the direction of Gatwick and East Croydon.

You can continue to use your intended route, but please allow extra time to complete your journey. It is recommended you leave up to at least 15 minutes additional to ensure you make any intended connections.

Late-running trains may be revised. This means they may not stop at all of the usual stations, or they may terminate part of the way along their usual routes.

As a result, you may need to change trains to get to your destination.

We know this may mean your journey takes longer. However, it does allow staff to get trains and crews back to the right places for the rest of the day's timetable.

Staff will be keeping departure boards and station announcements up to date, so please keep an eye on the latest information when you're travelling.

If you're waiting on a train which is delayed between stations:

If your train is delayed between stations, please remain where you are and listen to announcements, or speak to staff for further information.

Please don't leave the train unless you are asked to do so. Other trains may still be moving in the area, and the track is also a very hazardous environment. In areas where the trains are powered by an electric third rail, this usually stays live and dangerous during incidents, and looks the same as other rails.

Planning your journey:

Live departure boards can be viewed.

You can view a live map of the network.

You can also see an alternative route guide.

If you're travelling in the London area, you can plan journeys on alternative routes by using the TfL Journey Planner.

The Southern / Thameslink app will also help you plan your journey.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

There has been a report of an obstruction on the railway, and this is now causing some disruption to services. Your train may be held on approach to the area, or it may need to be terminated before it gets to this part of the network.

Network Rail staff will be attending to remove the obstruction as quickly as they can. Unfortunately, it's not possible to try to run trains past this.

Check before you travel:

You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.

Compensation:

You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.