Southern Restores Gatwick Airport Train Delays After Balcombe Closure

Southern restored service after gatwick airport train delays hit the Brighton Main Line between Three Bridges and Haywards Heath on Tuesday, following an emergency services incident near Balcombe. The route reopened, but passengers on trains including those to Gatwick Airport were told to allow extra time while disruption continued.

Balcombe and British Transport Police

British Transport Police said: "We were called to an area of the line close to Balcombe station at about 04:15 GMT following reports of a casualty on the tracks." Officers attended with paramedics and a person was pronounced dead at the scene.

The force said: "Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances leading up to their death." Southern said some trains terminated at different destinations while services on the line were suspended.

Gatwick Airport Services

Rail replacement buses ran between Gatwick and Haywards Heath. Southern also put ticket acceptance in place on other routes, including Great Western Railway services between Dorking and London and on local bus routes.

The practical problem for passengers did not end when the line reopened. Southern said the route was back in use, but delays were expected to continue for some time, leaving travellers to Gatwick Airport and other stations on the Brighton Main Line with a slower journey and altered connections.