Due to a landslip at Ockley, trains are currently unable to run between Horsham and Dorking.
While repairs at the site of the landslip take place, there will be no train service between Horsham and Dorking (Main) until 16 February.
The following stations will not be served by trains during this time:
- Warnham
- Ockley
- Holmwood
A half-hourly train service will continue to run between Dorking and London Victoria, and there are alternative Southern and Thameslink services from Horsham to London Bridge and London Victoria, via Gatwick Airport.
Please note, journey planners are showing correct information up to and including Sunday 8 February. We advise that you plan ahead, check your journey each day before travelling, and allow for at least an extra 30-40 minutes to reach your destination.
If you are travelling between Horsham and Dorking (Main):
An hourly rail replacement bus service will operate between Horsham, Warnham, Ockley, Holmwood, and Dorking (Main), in both directions. This will connect with train services running between Dorking (Main) and London Victoria. If you are travelling from Horsham to London, please use the alternative Southern or Thameslink train services.
Replacement bus times can be found in journey planners on our app, the Southern website or at nationalrail.co.uk.
You can also use your ticket to travel at no extra cost on Metrobus route 93 between Horsham and Dorking.
Car parking easement:
If you hold a parking season ticket for Ockley parking easements will be in place at Horsham, Crawley, Three Bridges and Reigate, meaning your season ticket will be valid if you choose to travel to / from these stations as an alternative. Please note, these car parks can be busy and spaces are not guaranteed.
What has happened?
A landslip was reported in the Ockley area on the evening of 23 January which has made the section of track impassable by trains.
To allow for permanent repair work to commence, specialist Network Rail teams and equipment will need access to the track and surrounding embankment – meaning that both lines will be blocked until this work is complete.
Network Rail and its suppliers have now finalised a design for the work needed to repair the damaged area, which will involve the installation of around 47 steel piles to strengthen the embankment.
Network Rail Sussex route director Lucy McAuliffe said: “This is a significant landslip and will have an impact on our customers as it links to the Brighton Main Line, the major spine of our railway in the southeast. We’re sorry that this means some journeys will take much longer until repairs are complete, and I can only apologise for the scale of the disruption, and would ask that customers please check before they travel for the next few weeks. We need to stabilise the embankment, stopping it from moving, and then rebuild the railway where it has slid away. We’ll keep everyone informed of our progress and we will be working around the clock to ensure that the railway is reopened on time.”
Jenny Saunders, Southern's Customer Service Director said: "I am very sorry for the continued disruption to passengers on the Horsham to Dorking line after the landslip at Ockley over the weekend. Safety is at the very core of our railway, and it will take engineers some time to restore the embankment so trains can safely run again.
We have a comprehensive plan to keep passengers on the move, including rail replacement buses and ticket acceptance with other transport operators. This will mean that journeys take longer than usual and I would encourage everyone to check online before travelling.
We are working very closely with our colleagues at Network Rail to provide updates as the work progresses."