Disruption between Uckfield and Oxted expected until the end of the day 

Route(s) affected

Between Uckfield and London Bridge

Description

A fault on a train between Uckfield and Oxted means that all lines are blocked. As a result, trains running to / from these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised.

This is expected until the end of the day.

Customer advice:

If you are travelling between Uckfield and Crowborough, please use alternative services to complete your journey.

The following stations will not be served until further notice:

• Uckfield

• Buxted

Please allow at least 30 minutes extra time to complete your journey today.

Rail replacement buses have been organised and are running hourly between Uckfield and Crowborough in both directions.

If you are travelling this evening, please make sure to check your journey before you travel and allow extra time to complete your journey.

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 app will also help you plan your journey.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

Southern have had a report of a fault on a train between Uckfield and Oxted, and this is now causing delays to other services travelling through this area.

Normally, when a fault on a train occurs, our crews will gather details and report this to Fleet teams. If possible, the defect will be fixed promptly, and staff will get the train on the way. 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, Southern will send their specialist engineers to site, known as "fitters". Fitters are based in key locations around the network, 24 hours a day, and they are able to attend anywhere needed on routes. Once they are on site, staff will then monitor progress updates and ensure that the railway can be reopened as promptly as possible.

Until the defective train can be moved, Southern will try to 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 will work with Network Rail's controllers to decide how many more trains can be sent through the area, and if this isn't possible, operators will see what alternative solutions are available to help you continue your journey.

Check before you travel:

You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries 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.