Travelers to Gatwick Airport should prepare for bus replacements this weekend due to essential engineering works
London: So, here’s the scoop. This weekend, if you’re heading to Gatwick Airport, you might want to rethink your travel plans. Network Rail has announced that buses will be taking over train services to the airport.
Right now, getting to Gatwick by train is a breeze. You can hop on from places like London Bridge, Victoria Station, Clapham Junction, or East Croydon. But come Sunday, January 12, that’s all changing.
There won’t be any trains running between East Croydon and Gatwick, or even the stops in between, like South Croydon and Redhill. So, if you’re planning to travel, you’ll need to catch a bus instead.
For those who still want to use the train, you can travel from London Victoria to East Grinstead and then catch a rail replacement bus to the airport. It might take a bit longer, but it’s a direct route.
Network Rail is using this closure to get some important work done. They’ll be fixing tracks, signals, and power systems at over 50 locations. Plus, they’ll be clearing out trees and litter along the line.
Lucy McAuliffe, the Sussex Route Director for Network Rail, mentioned that this line is one of the busiest in the country. They don’t close it often, so when they do, they make sure to get as much work done as possible to keep things running smoothly.
Jenny Saunders from Govia Thameslink Railway also advised travelers to plan ahead. She said that the engineering works will close the Brighton Main Line all day Sunday and late Saturday night, which means your journey might take longer and could be busier than usual.
So, if you’re traveling this weekend, keep an eye on the updates and make sure you’re prepared for the changes!
