Temporary amendments to some services between Uckfield and Oxted due to a speed restriction until at least Monday 5 October 

Route(s) affected

Between Uckfield and East Croydon / London Bridge

Description

A speed restriction between Oxted and Uckfield means that trains have to run at a reduced speed on all lines. As a result, between Monday and Friday a small number of services between Crowborough and Uckfield will be replaced by rail replacement buses.

The usual timetable will operate on Saturday and Sunday, with no planned changes to services.

Disruption is expected until at least Monday 5 October.

Customer advice:

We're sorry that some customers travelling on the Uckfield line will continue to experience disruption.

The record-breaking hot weather this summer and sustained low rainfall has affected track conditions in some areas, meaning temporary speed restrictions need to remain in place. Safety is and will always remain our highest priority.

Because trains need longer to complete their journeys, running the normal timetable could lead to delays building up throughout the day and increase the risk of short-notice cancellations.

To provide customers with greater certainty and help keep services running as reliably as possible, we've temporarily revised the timetable and will operate replacement buses between Crowborough and Uckfield at certain times of the day.

We know many customers rely on our services every day for work, school, appointments and important time with family and friends, and we're sorry for the disruption these changes may cause. The revised timetable has also been designed to minimise the impact on customers wherever possible, including protecting key services used by schoolchildren travelling to and from school.

Monday - Friday travel advice:

Some journeys will take longer than usual and a small number of services between Crowborough and Uckfield will be replaced by rail replacement buses.

Please check before you travel for the latest journey information, including train times, replacement bus services and alternative travel options. You should also allow a little extra time for your journey where needed. Journey planners online are up to date for future travel information.

Staff will also be on-site to assist you with any additional further queries you may have for your onward travel.

Car park season ticket holders at Uckfield and Buxted are also eligible to park at Crowborough and Eridge with no additional cost.

Monday - Friday service changes:

• 07:07 London Bridge to Uckfield will terminate at Crowborough

• 08:33 Uckfield to London Bridge will start from Crowborough

A rail replacement bus will operate between Crowborough and Uckfield to complete the rest of the journey. The bus will depart Crowborough at 08:19.

The bus will depart Uckfield at 08:00 so you can connect to the train at Crowborough which will depart at 08:44.

• 10:07 London Bridge to Uckfield will terminate at Crowborough

• 11:33 Uckfield to London Bridge will start from Crowborough

A rail replacement bus will operate between Crowborough and Uckfield to complete the rest of your journey. The bus will depart Crowborough at 11:24.

The bus will depart Uckfield at 11:04 so you can connect to the train at Crowborough which will depart at 11:44.

• 13:07 London Bridge to Uckfield will terminate at Crowborough

• 14:33 Uckfield to London Bridge will start from Crowborough

A rail replacement bus will operate between Crowborough and Uckfield to complete the rest of your journey. The bus will depart Crowborough at 14:25.

The bus will depart Uckfield at 14:04 so you can connect to the train at Crowborough which will depart at 14:44.

• 16:07 London Bridge to Uckfield will terminate at Crowborough

• 17:33 Uckfield to London Bridge will start from Crowborough

A rail replacement bus will operate between Crowborough and Uckfield to complete the rest of your journey. The bus will depart Crowborough at 17:24

The bus will depart Uckfield at 17:04 so you can connect to the train at Crowborough which will depart at 17:44.

• 19:07 London Bridge to Uckfield will terminate at Crowborough

• 20:33 Uckfield to London Bridge will start from Crowborough

A rail replacement bus will operate between Crowborough and Uckfield to complete the rest of your journey. The bus will depart Crowborough at 20:24

The bus will depart Uckfield at 20:04 so you can connect to the train at Crowborough which will depart at 20:44.

• 22:07 London Bridge to Uckfield will terminate at Crowborough

A rail replacement bus will operate between Crowborough and Uckfield to complete the rest of your journey. The bus will depart Crowborough at 23:24.

Please note the additional 07:03 Uckfield to London Bridge service will not be running however, both services below will be running with additional coaches to usual to improve the peak travel capacity:

• 06:07 London Bridge to Uckfield

• 07:33 Uckfield to London Bridge
  

Travel advice over the weekend:

The usual timetable will operate on Saturday and Sunday, with no planned changes to services.

Journey planners for this weekend are up to date. You should continue to check your journey before you travel in case any unplanned disruption affects your plans.

Ticket acceptance where you can use your ticket at no extra cost:

• Southeastern services between Tunbridge Wells and London

• Alternate Southern and Thameslink services between Haywards Heath / Three Bridges and London

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.

Why are temporary timetable changes needed?

These targeted changes are needed because temporary speed restrictions have been introduced by Network Rail on sections of the railway following a period of prolonged hot and dry weather, which has affected track conditions in some areas.

Network Rail has a programme under way to protect the railway from extreme weather and climate change, supported by a £2.6 billion investment in track maintenance and renewals.

Investment includes drainage, earthworks, track and overhead power improvements, as well as monitoring and predictive technologies to identify risks earlier and enable proactive intervention.

The speed restrictions being introduced will ensure trains can continue operating reliably while work is carried out to address track conditions that have been affected by the recent weather.

We're sorry for the inconvenience this may cause and thank customers for their continued patience and understanding.

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.