The vast majority of the rail network across Kent and Sussex is open for business this August bank holiday weekend, but passengers are asked to plan ahead and check before they travel as some journeys may be longer as a result of essential upgrade work.

• The long weekend is the perfect opportunity to get out and explore the South east by rail – with sunny weather forecast
• Engineering works mean some routes will be affected by engineering works
• Buses and diversions in place to keep passengers on the move

The rail network is gearing up for another warm bank holiday weekend – with destinations like Brighton, Hastings and London all expected to be busy with tourists flocking to make the most of the last long summer weekend. Train operators Southern and Thameslink are advising customers to plan their journeys in advance.

The line between Three Bridges and Horsham will be closed all day on Sunday 24 August, so that level crossing resurfacing work can take place at Roffey Road in Horsham. Buses will replace trains between Three Bridges and Horsham, and trains will run between Horsham and Bognor Regis.

Work will continue on the Redhill to Tonbridge line over the long weekend, ahead of its reopening on Tuesday 26 August following a ten-day closure, with buses continuing to replace trains along the whole route.

Network Rail is currently working to replace 13 miles of high voltage power cables between Nutfield and Leigh, protecting the track from landslips, replacing worn-out rails near Edenbridge and undertaking maintenance works to improve the resilience of railway structures and equipment.

Near Edenbridge, where landslips have caused significant disruption to rail services in recent years, the railway embankment will be strengthened with a 360-metre-long steel wall either side of the track. The wall will be further strengthened with 226 soil nails, each 9-metres-long and driven into the ground.

Elsewhere along the line, 11 bridges will undergo detailed structural inspections and 200 metres of rail will be replaced at Godstone.

Jenny Saunders, Southern and Thameslink’s Customer Service Director said: “This Bank Holiday weekend is a fantastic time to get out and explore some of the great destinations our railway’s got to offer, and the forecast is looking perfect too!

“Engineers will be using the long weekend, where fewer people typically use the railway, to get to work on projects which will improve service for the long term. This means that, for some journeys, they may involve a bus or trains might take a slightly different route than normal.

“Our staff are on hand to help you make your journey, and we’ve laid on buses to get you to where you need to be. It’s always best to check online before you travel, and again when you leave to make sure your trip runs smoothly.”

David Davidson, chief operating officer for the South Eastern Railway, said: ”The vast majority of the rail network in Kent and Sussex remains open for business over the August bank holiday, but with vital upgrade work necessary at a few locations on the network, our message to customers in south east London and parts of west Kent and East Sussex is to please check before you travel as your journey may take longer.”

Images provided by Govia Thameslink Railway