Track and signalling

Lewes to Seaford line in East Sussex reopened

Following four days of successful improvement work on the Lewes to Seaford line in East Sussex, Network Rail have welcome passengers back on board.

The major upgrade programme, that took place between Nov 28 and Dec 1, included replacing the signalling system controlled by three signal boxes dating back to 1879.

The new technology is now controlled from a modern operating centre at Three Bridges, with a view to reduce delay time and provide a more reliable service for passengers.

The project also saw the removal of the removal of 18A points which were replaced with 40m of plain line track.

Thanks to the upgrade programme, three times as many trains and passengers can now use the diversionary route for London to Brighton services via Lewes, during disruption on the Brighton Main Line.

This weekend was also the final weekend of closure for the line between Barham and Havant, via Chichester, as major track replacements and station refurbishments comes to an end. The project has been ongoing since later October and has seen 2km of new track laid, providing a better ride for passengers.

The thousands of Southern Rail passengers who use the line for daily commuting returned yesterday (Dec 2) to a brighter and cleaner station following a partnership between Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway that carried out a series of station improvements at Seaford, Bishopstone, Newhaven Town, Southease and Glynde stations.

John Halsall, managing director for Network Rail Southern Region, said:

“I’d like to say thank you to the passengers who have been disrupted by this crucial work, which was needed to modernise the signalling system.

“I am extremely grateful that so many changed their plans for the four days to enable us to concentrate the work in this way. The alternative would have meant many more weekend closures for our engineers to achieve the same thing, so this has been much more effective for them as well as for us.

“The work means we can provide a more reliable service that passengers deserve and can depend on.”

Photo: Newhaven Harbour