Issue resolved: delays to / from Uckfield expected until 12:30 

Route(s) affected

Between London Bridge and Uckfield

Description

The fault on a train between Oxted and Uckfield has now been rectified, allowing all lines to reopen. Trains running to / from Uckfield may still be delayed by up to 30 minutes whilst service returns to normal.

Disruption is expected until 12:30.

Customer advice:

There is currently a broken down train in the Crowborough area, which is causing disruption to our services.

It is likely you will experience some minor delays and or/alterations. Some trains may be cancelled or subject to last minute service changes. Please allow at least an additional 30 minutes time to complete your journey.

For the latest information, please check our online journey planners and station information boards.

Planning your journey:

You can view live departure boards.

You can see a live map of the network.

You can also use an alternative route guide.

The Southern app will also help you plan your journey.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

There has been a report of a fault on a train, and this is now causing delays to other services travelling through this area.

Normally, when a fault on a train occurs, crew will gather details and report this to the Fleet teams. If possible, the defect will be fixed promptly, and the train will get on its way. The initial steps are designed to take around 10 minutes.

However, sometimes the fault cannot be fixed in this time frame. In this case, wherever possible, the train will be taken out of use and sent to a depot. This does take additional time, as the crew will need to make sure that everyone's managed to leave the train.

If this can't be done either, we'll send our specialist engineers to site, known as "fitters". Southern have fitters based in key locations around the network, 24 hours a day, and they are able to attend anywhere on our routes. Once they are on site, Southern then monitor progress updates and ensure that the railway can be reopened as promptly as possible.

Until the defective train can be moved, attempts will be made to try and find a way to get other trains around the issue. This depends how many lines are available, and whether the signalling equipment is set up to allow trains to be routed around the problem. This is more often the case on our major routes, but not always. Southern work with Network Rail's controllers to decide how many more trains can be sent through the area, and if this isn't possible, alternative solutions will be looked into to help you continue your journey.

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.