Disruption between Haywards Heath and Gatwick Airport expected until 08:30 

Route(s) affected

between Haywards Heath and Gatwick Airport

Description

A points failure between Haywards Heath and Gatwick Airport means that some lines are blocked. As a result, trains running between these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised.

This is expected until 08:30.

Customer advice:

If you are travelling between Haywards Heath and Gatwick Airport you can travel on your normal route, but services will be disrupted.

You will need to allow at least an additional 20 minutes to complete your journey.

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

Catching a flight?

If you are travelling to Gatwick Airport / Luton Airport Parkway, please allow at least an extra 40 minutes for your journey to ensure you make your flight connections.

Can I use my ticket with another operator?

You can travel on the following services at no additional cost;

• Southern services between Brighton and Gatwick Airport

• Thameslink services between Brighton and Gatwick Airport

• Gatwick Express services between Brighton and London Victoria

Planning your journey:

To help you with your journey, you can view the live departure boards and also 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.

You can also use the Southern app to find up-to-date information.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

A points failure has been reported, and this is preventing trains from using some of the routes through the Balcombe area.

Points are moveable sections of track which can send trains onto different routes at junctions. These are part of the signalling system, generally managed by Network Rail.

Points can stop moving correctly for a number of reasons. For example, there may be an obstruction in the moving parts, or the electronic control systems may have developed a fault.

There are various backup systems which allow signallers to try to "set" the points, and in some cases, the points may be available for trains in one of the directions they serve, but not another. However, with more severe failures, the line in question may be blocked entirely.

Network Rail will send their specialist Signalling & Telecoms teams to site, and they will set up a safe method of working on the track. To allow staff to access the railway, sometimes trains have to stop completely, which can lead to your train being held at stations or signals en route.

As soon as it's safe to go on the line, the staff will diagnose the fault and find any quick solutions to resolve it.

Whilst this is being done, we will be monitoring progress closely. At times, replacement parts may be needed, or specialist advice from suppliers, which is why some points failures take longer to resolve than others.

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.