No trains between Lewes and Haywards Heath until approximately 22:00 

Route(s) affected

Between Eastbourne / Ore and London Victoria

Description

A tree is blocking the railway between Lewes and Cooksbridge. As a result, trains are unable to run between Lewes and Haywards Heath and will be cancelled, revised or diverted.

Disruption is expected until 22:00.

Customer advice:

You will need to use an alternative route to travel and allow at least 40 minutes more time to complete your journey.

Please talk to station staff, look at information boards or check your journey planner for the latest information.

How the service will be affected:

No trains can run between Lewes and Haywards Heath until further notice. This means the following stations are not being served:

• Cooksbridge

• Plumpton

If you are travelling to Cooksbridge or Plumpton, please travel as close to your destination as possible and then speak to station staff there for further assistance.

If you are travelling from Cooksbridge or Plumpton, please press the green emergency button on a help point for further assistance.

Trains that normally run between Eastbourne and London Victoria will divert via Brighton where possible or be cancelled. Services that normally run between Eastbourne and Brighton are not affected.

If you are travelling towards London, you may need to take a train to Brighton and change there for a service towards London.

If you are travelling towards Eastbourne, you may need to change at Haywards Heath for an alternative train towards Brighton, then change there for a service towards Eastbourne.

Travelling via an alternative route will take longer than usual. It is recommended you leave at least 40 minutes more time to travel.

Your ticket will be accepted at no extra cost on:

• Alternative Southern services between Eastbourne, Brighton and London

• Thameslink services between Brighton and London

Rail replacement buses have been requested but are not yet confirmed. More details will be provided once there is more information.

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. You'll be moving as soon as possible. Your location is known and teams will be doing everything they can to help you continue your journey.

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:

For help planning your journey, check live departure boards, view a live network map or see alternative route guides.

If you’re travelling within London, you can use the TfL Journey Planner.

Stay up to date on the move with Southern’s WhatsApp channel. Live updates are available Monday to Friday, 07:00–21:00.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

There has been a report of a tree 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 tree as quickly as they can. Unfortunately, it's not possible to try to run trains past this.

Ticket flexibility:

If your train is cancelled, you will be able to travel on an alternative service operated by any other participating train company, either two hours before or two hours after the original departure time of the cancelled service, in order to reach your destination.

If you decide not to travel or cannot complete your journey due to cancellations, you are entitled to a full refund from your original point of sale.

For further information and guidance please contact your train company or speak to a member of railway staff.

Check before you travel:

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

For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use our Rail Replacement Services page.

You can find the pick-up and drop-off location of rail replacement services by checking station signage or by searching for your station on our Find a Station page.

Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.

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.