Rail travellers are advised to brace for disruptions over the Easter weekend as buses are poised to replace trains along certain routes due to essential upgrades worth £2.2 million in track and signalling infrastructure.
The east coastway line, spanning from Lewes to Pevensey and Westham, will experience closures during the maintenance period. The train operator has announced plans to alleviate inconvenience by arranging for two buses per hour between Lewes and Eastbourne via Polegate. Additionally, a similar frequency of buses will operate between Lewes and Eastbourne via Polegate and Hampden Park, albeit excluding Easter Sunday. For travellers between Lewes and Eastbourne via Glynde, Berwick, Polegate, and Hampden Park, one bus per hour is scheduled.
Moreover, commuters can anticipate two buses per hour connecting Eastbourne to Pevensey and Westham via Hampden Park and Polegate, with a direct route to Bexhill. Despite the disruptions, the train operator assures passengers of a limited train service operating eastwards from Pevensey and Westham to Hastings/Ore, with onward connections towards Ashford International.
Network Rail underscores the importance of checking travel plans from Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April, as buses substitute trains across various parts of the railway network in Kent, Sussex, and South London. The Easter weekend upgrades are part of a broader £89 million investment scheme nationwide, focusing on enhancing track and signalling systems.
A significant portion of the investment, amounting to £2.2 million, will be directed towards Willingdon Junction in Eastbourne. This allocation aims to bolster reliability for passengers, with a projected infrastructure lifespan of over 50 years. The upgrades encompass renewing switches and crossings, installing new points, and implementing heating equipment to sustain optimal functionality during winter conditions. Additionally, the project entails the renewal of 750 metres of third rail and the installation of 2,300 tonnes of new ballast and 450 concrete sleepers.
Passengers are strongly advised to verify travel arrangements through the National Rail or the train operator’s websites prior to embarking on their journeys.
A spokesperson for Network Rail expressed gratitude towards passengers for their patience during the essential works, highlighting the strategic timing of the upgrades during periods of lower passenger traffic to minimise disruptions. While the majority of routes will remain operational over the Easter bank holiday, some services will be impacted, necessitating proactive planning from passengers.
A spokesperson for the train operator echoed appreciation for customers’ understanding, emphasising the importance of allowing extra time for journeys and verifying routes before departure, particularly amidst the temporary adjustments.
As the railway undergoes these crucial enhancements, stakeholders assure passengers of their commitment to minimising disruptions and maintaining service reliability. With a focus on long-term infrastructure resilience, the temporary inconveniences are deemed necessary for the continued safety and efficiency of the rail network.
In conclusion, while the Easter weekend presents challenges for rail travellers due to essential maintenance works, concerted efforts by operators and network authorities aim to ensure minimal disruption and uphold service standards, underscoring the imperative of proactive planning and real-time information updates for passengers.
