ThameslinkNetwork RailGatwick ExpressSouthern RailSoutheastern

Landslip closes railway line between Lewes and Eastbourne; Southern Rail says disruptions to last until Sunday as Network Rail assesses damage

A landslip has closed the railway line between Lewes and Eastbourne, with Southern Rail reporting disruptions expected to last until Sunday. Network Rail teams are assessing damage, while rail replacement buses are operating and delays of up to one hour are anticipated for passengers.

BBC BBC15 August 2026 · 09:25 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story

A landslip reported on Friday has led to the closure of the railway line between Lewes and Eastbourne, with Southern Rail indicating that disruptions are expected to last until Sunday as Network Rail teams assess the damage.12

Southern Rail confirmed that while trains can still operate between Lewes and Polegate, passengers should anticipate delays of up to one hour. Rail replacement buses are currently running between Polegate and Eastbourne to assist affected travelers.34

For those traveling between Eastbourne and London, Southern Rail suggests the quickest route is via Hastings, where passengers can switch to a Southeastern service. Additionally, tickets are being accepted on various alternative services at no extra cost, including Southeastern services between Hastings and London, as well as Southern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express services.6789

The Haywards Heath to Lewes line remains closed, with replacement buses serving Plumpton and Cooksbridge. Passengers should also be aware that journeys between London, Gatwick Airport, Lewes, and Eastbourne may take longer than usual due to the ongoing disruptions.5

Key Insight
“Trains still run between Lewes and Polegate but with delays up to an hour, and replacement buses operate between Polegate and Eastbourne. The Haywards Heath to Lewes line remains closed, with buses serving Plumpton and Cooksbridge, and tickets are accepted on Southeastern, Thameslink, and Gatwick Express services at no extra cost.”
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1
BBCBBC
“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.”
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
Essex derailed train route 'unlikely' to reopen this weekend; Greater Anglia warns disruption could continue into next week
BBCBBC
Essex derailed train route 'unlikely' to reopen this weekend; Greater Anglia warns disruption could continue into next week

Railway services will continue to be disrupted over the weekend following extensive infrastructure damage after a passenger train derailed in Essex.

British Broadcasting CorporationEast Of England Ambulance ServiceEssex Train Derailment
2026-08-15
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • On Friday at about 14:12 BST, a Greater Anglia service from Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street derailed in Wickford, Essex, with more than 60 people on board.
  • An air ambulance landed close to the scene as a precaution alongside police, firefighters and paramedics; however, no one was injured, according to investigators and the East of England Ambulance Service.
  • Greater Anglia has warned passengers that at this stage it was "unlikely" the route would be reopened over the weekend and the disruption could continue into next week.
  • The incident has affected routes between London Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria, Wickford and Southminster, and on the London-Braintree route.
  • The derailment occurred less than 24 hours after a Southern Rail train derailed near Lewes in East Sussex on Thursday.
  • A second train was also evacuated after it was unable to continue its journey.
CuriousCats
RELATED COVERAGE:
Stourbridge wildfire destroys 19 homes, damages 19 others; fire under control but displaced residents still await return as investigation continues
🇨🇦15 August 2026 · 17:15 UTC
Stourbridge wildfire destroys 19 homes, damages 19 others; fire under control but displaced residents still await return as investigation continues

The fire, which spread over 500 acres, prompted Network Rail to close part of the Snow Hill Line, with closures expected through the weekend and early next week. Fundraising pages have raised over £13,000 collectively, including a Dudley Council page that more than doubled its £1,000 goal.

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