Landslip at Ockley causes railway disruption between Horsham and Dorking
Passengers face delays until mid-February due to the embankment damage.
A landslip in Surrey has caused severe damage to the railway between Horsham and Dorking, leaving one of the tracks hanging in mid-air. Repairs and ongoing disruption are expected until 16th February.
The incident, which happened on the embankment south of Ockley station, has left the two tracks on the line impassable by trains, prompting major changes to services for Southern Railway customers.
How will train services be affected?
Passengers are advised to check travel options before their journeys, as rail replacement buses and alternative transport arrangements are in place.
Between Horsham and Dorking (Main), customers should expect their journeys to take at least 30-40 minutes longer than usual. An hourly replacement bus service will run between Horsham and Holmwood, Warnham, and Dorking (Main) in both directions.
Metrobus route 93 will accept Southern tickets at no extra cost for travel between Horsham and Dorking.
For passengers travelling to or from Ockley, replacement buses will not serve the station due to a road closure. Customers on the Ockley platform should press the green emergency button to arrange onward transport, while those travelling to Ockley should speak to station staff for assistance.
Car parking easements will apply for customers with parking tickets for Warnham, Ockley, or Holmwood stations, allowing use of car parks at Horsham, Crawley, and Three Bridges stations.
Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail's Sussex route director, said:
“This is a significant landslip which is already having an impact on our customers. While the line is closed and our teams carry out the repairs, some journeys will take much longer until the repairs are complete.
“I can only apologise for the disruption that customers are experiencing on this part of the network.
“We need to stabilise the embankment, stopping it from moving, and then rebuild the railway where it has slid away. We’ll keep everyone informed of our progress and we will be working around the clock to ensure that the railway is reopened as quickly and as safely as possible.
“In the meantime, please do check before you travel.”
The embankment, saturated after heavy rainfall during the winter, gave way across a nine-metre section in what engineers call a “rotational failure.” Repairs will involve installing 47 steel piles to strengthen the embankment.
Southern Railway's Customer Service Director Jenny Saunders said:
“I am very sorry for the continued disruption to passengers on the Horsham to Dorking line after the landslip at Ockley over the weekend.
“Safety is at the very core of our railway, and it will take engineers some time to restore the embankment so trains can safely run again.
“We have a comprehensive plan to keep passengers on the move, including rail replacement buses and ticket acceptance with other transport operators.
“This will mean that journeys take longer than usual and I would encourage everyone to check online before travelling.
“We are working very closely with our colleagues at Network Rail to provide updates as the work progresses.”