Severe train disruption following landslip

Rail passengers in East Sussex are being warned of more disruption as the line between Eastbourne and Polegate has been closed following a landslip.

It comes after a train was derailed at Lewes on Thursday with the line between Haywards Heath to Lewes remaining closed.

Southern Rail said the landslip between Lewes and Eastbourne was reported on Friday and specialist Network Rail teams have since been working at the site to assess the extent of the damage and begin repairs.

Visitors to the Airbourne air show in Eastbourne are being advised to travel via Brighton. Extra carriages have been added to some alternative services..

Southern says the disruption is likely to continue until the end of Sunday.

At about 11:45 BST, it said urgent repairs to the track are required in the Lewes area, impacting all lines.

It confirms there are now no services between Lewes and Eastbourne until further notice.

It adds rail replacement buses are running between Polegate and Eastbourne.

For passengers travelling between Eastbourne and London, Southern says travelling via Hastings and changing on to a Southeastern service is likely to be the quickest option.

The company is advising travellers to plan ahead use alternative routes where possible.

It says tickets are being accepted on a number of alternative services at no extra cost.

These include Southeastern services between Hastings and London, as well as Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services.

The company warns passengers delays of up to one hour are to be expected.

On Thursday, three carriages of a passenger train came off the track in Lewes, leaving two people with serious but not life-threatening injuries and 18 others taken to hospital.

About 150 people were on the 14:24 service from London Victoria to Eastbourne when it derailed.

All the passengers were evacuated from the carriages.

Network Rail, along with other agencies, are still carrying out investigations into the cause.

Southern says the Haywards Heath to Lewes line remains closed, with replacement buses serving Plumpton and Cooksbridge.

It adds journeys between London, Gatwick Airport, Lewes and Eastbourne may take longer.

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