Major rail disruption expected all day Monday as Gatwick routes hit by overrunning works

Rail passengers travelling between Gatwick Airport and East Croydon are being warned to expect continued disruption after engineering works were confirmed to be running late, with restrictions set to remain in place until the end of service on Monday 19 January.

Only two of the four tracks through the area will be available throughout the day, significantly reducing capacity and forcing operators to scale back services in both directions. Rail companies say delays and further short-notice alterations are likely as a result of the limited line availability.

A number of major service changes will apply all day on Monday, affecting Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink routes in both directions:

• Gatwick Express services between Brighton, Gatwick Airport and London Victoria will be suspended

• Southern services between Reigate and London Victoria will be suspended

• Southern services between Redhill and Tonbridge will run to a very limited timetable, with one train every two hours in each direction

• Thameslink services between Brighton and Cambridge will be suspended

• Peak-time Southern services between Gatwick Airport and London Victoria will not operate

• Peak-time Southern services between Littlehampton, Bognor Regis or Eastbourne and London Bridge will not run

• No trains will call at Earlswood or Salfords for the entire day

Journey times across the area are expected to increase, with some passengers facing delays of between 10 minutes and up to an hour depending on their route. Travellers whose services are cancelled may need to change trains en route or take an alternative line altogether.

Passengers are being advised to check online journey planners before travelling, with systems expected to reflect the latest changes by 22:00 this evening. Ticket acceptance will be put in place on a range of alternative services on Monday, while efforts are also being made to source replacement buses on certain routes. All lines are currently expected to reopen in time for the start of services on Tuesday 20 January.

Image: Network Rail