Engineering Disruptions Hit Sussex & South London Trains Easter 2026

Key Points

• Essential engineering work by Network Rail will occur across Sussex and South London from Friday 3 to Monday 6 April 2026, impacting several train services while most trains operate normally.
• Services between Eastbourne and Hastings/Ore, and Eastbourne and Ashford International will be disrupted over the Easter weekend, with replacement buses provided.
• On Easter Sunday, Southern services between London Victoria and Portsmouth Harbour, Brighton and Southampton Central, and Littlehampton and Bognor Regis will be affected.
• Key works include soil nailing at Stone Cross cutting to reduce landslip risks; refurbishing switches and crossings at Bognor Regis and Streatham South Junction (between Tulse Hill, Sutton and Wimbledon); re-installing the steel footbridge at Ivy Lane near Bognor Regis; and re-installing the refurbished footbridge at Hampden Park station, set to reopen mid-April.
• Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex Route Director, stated: “I would like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out these important upgrades over the Easter period. There is never a suitable time to close the railway, but we have chosen to complete this work over the Easter weekend, when passenger numbers are typically lower, to help minimise disruption. These works are vital to maintaining the network so trains can run safely and efficiently, helping to reduce delays and improve reliability. I encourage anyone intending to travel by train over Easter to please plan ahead and check their journey with their train operator.”.
• Jenny Saunders, Southern’s Customer Service Director, said: “We really appreciate our customers’ patience while Network Rail carries out these improvement programmes, and we are sorry for the inconvenience and additional journey time some passengers will experience. We are working closely with Network Rail to plan this work for when it is least disruptive, and the result will mean more reliable journeys for everyone.”.
• Passengers are urged to plan ahead and check with train operators due to lower passenger numbers over Easter minimising disruption.
• Additional reports note buses replacing trains on routes like Eastbourne to Hastings on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Monday; Littlehampton to Bognor Regis on Easter Sunday; and amended timetables for London Victoria to Arundel/Littlehampton and Brighton to Littlehampton.
• Network Rail emphasises these upgrades renew outdated switches and crossings, refurbish assets, and undertake earthworks to prevent landslips.

Sussex and South London (South London News) March 31, 2026 – Essential engineering work will disrupt rail services across Sussex and South London over the Easter weekend from Friday 3 to Monday 6 April, as Network Rail engineers undertake critical upgrades to improve safety and reliability. While most trains will run normally, passengers face closures on key routes including Eastbourne to Hastings and impacts on Southern services to Portsmouth Harbour and Bognor Regis. Network Rail urges travellers to check journeys in advance to avoid inconvenience during the holiday period.

What Engineering Works Are Taking Place?

Network Rail engineers will renew outdated switches and crossings, refurbish key assets, and perform critical earthworks to prevent landslips on the Sussex network. Specific projects include soil nailing at Stone Cross cutting, aimed at stabilising the embankment and reducing landslip potential, as detailed in Network Rail announcements. Refurbishment of switches and crossings at Bognor Regis and Streatham South Junction—located between Tulse Hill, Sutton, and Wimbledon—will enhance track efficiency.

Additionally, structural reinstallations feature prominently: the steel footbridge at Ivy Lane near Bognor Regis will be reinstated, while the footbridge at Hampden Park station, refurbished offsite since early February, returns mid-April. As reported in RailAdvent coverage, these efforts encompass renewing points and key infrastructure across the region.

Which Train Services Will Be Affected?

Services between Eastbourne and Hastings/Ore, plus Eastbourne and Ashford International, face full disruption from Friday 3 to Monday 6 April, with no trains running and replacement buses operating. On Easter Sunday, Southern routes from London Victoria to Portsmouth Harbour, Brighton to Southampton Central, and Littlehampton to Bognor Regis will see no services, replaced by buses between key stations like Littlehampton and Barnham/Chichester.

BBC reporting confirms buses substituting trains between Eastbourne and Hastings/Ore on Good Friday, Easter Saturday, and Monday, alongside Easter Sunday impacts on Polegate-Eastbourne-Ore. National Rail notes amended Easter Monday services for all Southern routes due to bank holiday engineering. Southern’s service updates highlight no trains to Southampton and altered timetables between Chichester and Arundel/Angmering/Littlehampton.

Why Is Work Scheduled Over Easter?

“There is never a suitable time to close the railway, but we have chosen to complete this work over the Easter weekend, when passenger numbers are typically lower, to help minimise disruption,”

explained Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex Route Director, in statements covered by Network Rail Media Centre and More Radio. This timing allows vital maintenance with reduced impact, as passenger volumes drop during the holiday.

Jenny Saunders, Southern’s Customer Service Director, echoed this, noting collaboration with Network Rail to schedule works least disruptively, leading to “more reliable journeys for everyone”. Express.co.uk reports align, warning of disruptions but emphasising preparation for the 3-6 April period.

How Will Passengers Be Impacted?

Passengers may experience additional journey times, with replacement buses on closed lines like Eastbourne-Hastings and Littlehampton-Bognor Regis. Southern services to Portsmouth Harbour and Southampton Central halt on Easter Sunday, while routes to Arundel and Littlehampton run amended timetables.

“We really appreciate our customers’ patience… and we are sorry for the inconvenience,”

stated Jenny Saunders. Network Rail’s Scott Brightwell (from prior similar coverage) and Southeastern’s operations director have urged planning via alternatives like buses. Trainline notes broader impacts, though focused elsewhere, underscoring national patterns.

What Alternatives Are Available?

Replacement buses will run between Eastbourne or Polegate and Hastings/Ore; Littlehampton and Barnham/Chichester; and Barnham to Bognor Regis. Amended trains operate between London Victoria and Arundel/Littlehampton, and Brighton to Littlehampton on Easter Sunday. Check National Rail or operator apps for live updates.

What Do Officials Say About the Upgrades?

Lucy McAuliffe emphasised:

“These works are vital to maintaining the network so trains can run safely and efficiently, helping to reduce delays and improve reliability”.

She added gratitude for patience, as reported by More Radio:

“We’re grateful to our passengers for their patience whilst we carry out essential work over the Easter period… so we disrupt fewer journeys”.

Jenny Saunders affirmed:

“Engineers will be working on the tracks across our network this Easter to deliver more reliable journeys for passengers,”

per Network Rail Media Centre. RailUK and BBC coverage reinforce these sentiments amid regional disruptions.

Are There Broader Regional Impacts?

While centred on Sussex and South London, related works appear in Kent and southeast lines, such as Bexleyheath Line closures near Lewisham and track renewals between Eastbourne-Hastings (over 5km in past years). Drainage and bridge repairs occur elsewhere, like Hildenborough, but Sussex focus remains on landslips and footbridges.

National Rail and Southern warn of peak-time changes pre/post-Easter, e.g., no additional trains from Littlehampton/Bognor Regis/Eastbourne to London Bridge. Travelandtourworld highlights “Easter chaos” risks from closures.

How to Plan Your Easter Train Journey?

Officials unanimously advise:

“Plan ahead and check your journey with your train operator,”

as per Lucy McAuliffe. Use apps from Southern, National Rail, or Network Rail for real-time info. With most lines open, verify specific routes amid bank holiday amendments.