The Lewes railway line will be closed for at least another 10 days as recovery and repair work begins following a train derailment that seriously injured two passengers and hospitalized 18 others. The incident occurred on Thursday when a Southern train carrying 150 passengers from Victoria to Eastbourne derailed near Lewes, with three carriages tumbling off the track.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has completed its initial examination of the site and handed it back to Network Rail. The RAIB continues its investigation into the cause of the derailment.
Network Rail and Southern Rail stated that the three derailed carriages slid down an embankment and will require cranes for removal. The operation is complicated by the railway's proximity to a river, its location within a site of special scientific interest, and restricted road access through a residential area.
Once the train is removed, engineers will assess the damage to the track to determine the extent of the necessary repairs before services can resume. Rail replacement buses will operate between Lewes and Haywards Heath, serving Cooksbridge and Plumpton. These buses have limited capacity, and passengers traveling to other stations are advised to use alternative routes via Brighton.
John Whitehurst, chief executive of Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR), which operates Southern Railway, acknowledged the disruption to customers and local communities. He stated that GTR is working with Network Rail to assist customers and ensure the safe restoration of the railway.
This incident occurs amid broader disruptions across the UK's rail network, with cancellations and speed restrictions implemented due to concerns about soaring temperatures potentially damaging tracks. The heatwave has led Network Rail to impose speed limits in several areas, causing delays and cancellations. Another train derailment occurred at Wickford the day after the Lewes incident, involving a Southend-to-London train, though no passengers were injured in that event.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated on Saturday that the industry is taking steps to manage the heat, including monitoring track temperatures and implementing speed restrictions where necessary. A spokesperson for campaign group RailFuture noted that the two derailments may cause anxiety for commuters, but cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the cause until the investigation is complete.
