Train line reopens following Lewes derailment

A railway line that closed after a train derailed in East Sussex leaving 30 people injured has reopened following extensive repairs.

The route between Haywards Heath and Lewes was shut after the derailment on 13 August, prompting a major recovery operation and reconstruction work.

A defect was found on railway tracks near Lewes following the derailment, an initial report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) found.

Network Rail said engineers had completed the recovery of the train and rebuilt the damaged section of railway in time for the start of the new school term.

Southern Rail has advised passengers to check their journey before travel.

The line has also undergone a series of engineering inspections, safety checks and test train runs to ensure it is safe and reliable, Network Rail added.

This included recovering all eight carriages, removing damaged track, repairing the embankment, installing new track and signalling equipment, and carrying out extensive testing and safety checks before the line reopened.

The eight-carriage Southern service from London Victoria to Eastbourne was travelling at 65mph when it derailed, the RAIB report said.

Emergency services evacuated all 150 passengers from the derailed carriages.

Injured passengers were assessed and treated at the scene, and two people suffered serious injuries.

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