Brighton Mainline Rail Services Operating Again But More Delays Expected Plus Ticket Price Hike

Work to Brighton mainline has now been completed but there will be more delays this week due to strikes and engineering work as well as an increase in fares from tomorrow - check here for updates.

Southern Rail has advised that passengers going in and out of London on Tuesday, March 1 and Thursday, March 3, could experience overcrowded trains due to a strike by London Underground staff.

They advise to check before you travel.

They've also reported that a speed restriction over a defective track is causing delays of up to 15 minutes between Haywards Heath and Three Bridges today, which is likely to continue all day.

Engineering work will commence at 10.15pm tonight on the line between Lewes and Eastbourne until Friday, March 4th.

Passengers traveling on the line after 10.15pm every night this week, will have to use a replacement bus. Early morning passengers will also be affected.

Finally, passengers travelling between Chichester and Havant have been experiencing delays this morning. Southern Railway have tweeted to advise people to plan ahead:

As the line was blocked earlier between Chichester and Havant, a lot of our trains and train crew are in the wrong place.

You'll need to plan ahead by using journey planners before you set off for the station as you may need to wait longer than usual for the next train.

— Southern (@SouthernRailUK) February 28, 2022

In other rail news, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has commented on tomorrow’s (March 1) rise of 3.8% for regulated rail fares, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:  

“At a time when pay is being eclipsed by the rising cost of living, the last thing commuters need is more expensive rail fares. 

"It is vital that our rail system recovers the passengers it lost at the start of the pandemic, especially if we want to keep to our climate commitments. But another rise in rail fares will hit commuters and make it harder for city centres to bounce back.  

“The government needs a credible plan for the future of rail that gives passengers better value. We need the railways back in public hands. It's common sense that you get better quality and value if every penny from every fare goes back into the service, rather than into the hands of shareholders.”  

In an example of how much more customers will be expected to pay, a season ticket from Brighton to London (any route) will rise from £5,108 to £5,302 - an increase of £194 annually.