Recovery and repair work at the site of the Lewes derailment is now complete and the line has reopened.
The railway between Haywards Heath and Lewes is now open for passenger services, following the successful completion of a major recovery operation and extensive repairs after the derailment near Lewes on Thursday 13 August.
Engineers have worked around the clock to recover the train, repair the railway and carry out extensive testing to ensure the route is safe and reliable for the return of passenger services.
The work has included:
- Recovering and removing the derailed train
- Rebuilding and stabilising the embankment
- Replacing damaged track and infrastructure
- Reinstating signalling equipment and railway systems
- Completing comprehensive testing and safety checks, including successful test train operations
The location of the derailment, close to the River Ouse and within a sensitive environmental area, made the recovery and repair operation particularly complex. Teams from across the railway industry have worked together throughout August to safely restore the railway as quickly as possible.
Customer travel information:
- Services between Haywards Heath and Lewes have now resumed
- Journey planners are updated and customers are advised to check before travelling
We recognise the significant impact this closure has had on customers, communities and schools across the area, and we're sorry for the disruption caused. Thank you for your patience and understanding while teams worked to safely reopen the railway. We look forward to welcoming customers back.