Train service disruption following track defect

Passengers have been warned that train services between Oxted in Surrey and Uckfield in East Sussex will not be running due to a track defect.

Southern Rail says engineers are investigating the cause and are carrying out repairs.

It adds the line is closed and is not expected to reopen until 08:00 BST on Tuesday with passengers advised to travel via Tunbridge Wells and Edenbridge in Kent.

The disruption comes after a train derailment in Lewes caused ongoing delays between Lewes and Haywards Heath, while a landslip on Saturday further affected services between Eastbourne and Polegate.

A spokesperson for the company said they were "sorry" for the current disruptions.

"If you need to travel, please allow at least 60 minutes of extra journey time and use an alternative route," they add.

Southern said there would be no rail services at Uckfield, Buxted, Crowborough, Eridge, Ashurst, Cowden, Hever and Edenbridge Town stations.

It added passengers could travel from Edenbridge station as an alternative route to and from London.

Travel advice for Sunday

Southern said it has arranged an hourly replacement bus service between Oxted and Crowborough, and between Crowborough and Uckfield.

It added bus journeys were likely to take at least one hour longer than usual.

The company advised customers, where possible, to travel via Tunbridge Wells or Edenbridge instead.

Travel advice for Monday

Southern said replacement buses would continue to run and it would review the impact on journeys.

It added passengers could use their tickets at no extra cost on the following lines:

• Alternative Southern and Thameslink services between Oxted/ East Grinstead/ East Croydon and Lewes, including via Brighton

• Southeastern services between London and Tunbridge Wells

• Brighton & Hove Buses routes 29 / 29B / 29X for Brighton (St Peter's Church), Moulsecoomb (Brighton University), Falmer, Lewes (Post Office / Law Courts), Uckfield, Crowborough, Eridge, and Tunbridge Wells

• London Underground services between London terminals.