Major rail engineering works: weekends and 9-day closures

There are some weekend closures of rail services starting this weekend (15-16 January 2022) but a more disruptive 9-day closure between 19-27 February that might affect your commute to university.

Network Rail will carry out major engineering works between Three Bridges and Brighton / Lewes / Hove, closing the line for 9 days from Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February 2022, to deliver track replacement work and build a new underpass. Supporting work will also take place at weekends before and after the main closures.

This will mean changes to train services across the Southern and Thameslink networks and significantly longer journey times for some passengers.

No trains will serve the following stations:

• Balcombe
• Haywards Heath
• Wivelsfield
• Burgess Hill
• Hassocks
• Preston Park
• Plumpton
• Cooksbridge

Replacement buses will run between Three Bridges and Brighton / Lewes.

What dates are affected?

• Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 January 2022
• Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 February 2022
• Saturday 19 – Sunday 27 February 2022 (main 9-day blockade)
• Saturday 5 – Sunday 6 March 2022
• Sunday 3 April 2022

Detailed information can be found here: Southern – Brighton Main Line improvement project (southernrailway.com)

How the university can help

Students and staff affected by the rail closure who do not have an e-permit to park on campus, may apply for a temporary e-permit valid between 19-27 February. All parking restrictions will apply to temporary permit holders, including the requirement of staff to pay parking charges. Please email centralparking@brighton.ac.uk to apply for a temporary e-permit.

Advice about commuting

Take a look at the university’s advice about commuting to uni – there’s useful information about help you can get as a student.