Disruption between Haywards Heath and Lewes expected until the end of the day 

Route(s) affected

Between London Victoria and Eastbourne / Hastings / Ore, and also between Haywards Heath and Eastbourne

Description

A fault with the signalling system between Haywards Heath and Lewes means that all lines are blocked. As a result, trains running between these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day.

Customer advice:

Trains are currently unable to run between Haywards Heath and Lewes.

If you're travelling now, you will need to use an alternative route, and you will need to allow at least 60 minutes extra to complete your journey.

There is currently no alternative in place between Haywards Heath and Lewes. For journeys along this route, you should travel via Brighton, using Brighton & Hove routes 28 and 29 for journeys to Lewes.

Ticket acceptance:

Your ticket will be accepted on the below at no additional cost:

• Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services between London and the south coast

• Southeastern services between London and Hastings

• London Underground services between London terminals

• Brighton & Hove Buses:

  • 12 between Brighton, Newhaven, Bishopstone, Seaford, and Eastbourne

  • 12X between Brighton, Newhaven, Seaford, and Eastbourne

  • 28 between Brighton, Moulsecoomb, Falmer, Lewes, Polegate, and Eastbourne

  • 29 between Brighton, Moulsecoomb, Falmer, Lewes, Uckfield, Crowborough, Eridge, and Tunbridge Wells

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?

A signalling fault known as "route locking" is causing disruption to your journey in this area.

This part of the network uses track circuits to detect the position of trains. These are electrical systems which monitor whether a train is on a section of track. Track circuits operate as part of the signalling system, which is designed to be "fail safe".

When a track circuit fails, the signalling system will interpret this as a train remaining in place, even though there may not be a train present at all, or the previous service may have long since left the area.

In the case of track circuits at junctions, this means the points cannot be moved, as there could still be a train present. As a result, the junction will become route locked. The junction will then only be able to be used for trains running on the route which was selected when the system failed.

Until the track circuit clears, it won't be possible for your train to pass the area as usual, and if the route is locked, it may mean your train cannot reach its normal destination. Because this type of fault can result in a queue of trains waiting to continue, even if your own route is open, there can still be disruption to your journey.

Network Rail staff will be attending as quickly as possible to resolve the fault and make sure all of the affected trains can move.

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.

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.