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A signalling problem that needs to be investigated between Preston Park and Hassocks means lines are disrupted. As a result, trains may be cancelled, delayed or revised.

Disruption are expected until 14:00.

Customer Advice

Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services are likely to have delays of around 20 minutes from Preston Park towards Hassocks, and around 10 minutes in the opposite direction.

This affects the routes between either Brighton or Littlehampton and London.

Service changes:

Some Gatwick Express trains from London Victoria will finish their journeys at Gatwick Airport or Haywards Heath, instead of continuing to Brighton.

These trains will then start their journeys back to London Victoria from either Haywards Heath or Gatwick Airport, meaning there will be some cancelled departures from Brighton.

This will mean there are fewer trains travelling through the area affected by the signalling issues. We expect this to reduce congestion

However, there may also be a small number of other "ad hoc" changes to trains via Haywards Heath at times. Please listen to announcements and check station screens when travelling.

Alternative journey options:

You may use your ticket interchangeably between Southern, Thameslink or Gatwick Express on any reasonable route between Brighton, Haywards Heath, Gatwick Airport and the London area.

You can also use your rail ticket at no extra cost on Metrobus services between Brighton and Crawley / Gatwick Airport.

Please leave at least 20 minutes of extra time to use an alternative train, and at least 45 minutes of extra time if you need to use a bus service.

You may also need to change between services to get to your destination.

Planning your journey:

Live departure boards can be found here.

You can view a live map of the network here.

Can you tell me more about this?

We've had a report of a possible problem with the Automatic Warning System (AWS), which is part of the signalling equipment. This provides an audible and visible reminder within train cabs, giving drivers an extra alert about what the signal ahead is showing. This is particularly important when trains are travelling in restricted visibility, such as fog or snowfall, but the system is always active, keeping you safe during your journey.

The AWS equipment on the track comprises an electromagnet which is linked to the signal, and this magnet has two options. In one state, it reflects whether a signal is green, and in the other, it will show that the signal is at a more restrictive colour such as yellow or red, which would mean the driver has to take action to slow down or stop their train. The train has a receiver to read the state of the magnet, and this is then shown by the cab equipment.

Drivers have to acknowledge any warning which is given by this equipment, and if they don't react, the train will be brought to a stop. This adds an extra level of safety protection.

Railway signalling is designed to positively confirm that the track is clear before a train can proceed, and it works on "fail safe" principles. If there's a technical failure, the system should go into a more restrictive state, so that trains can be slowed or stopped in case there is an obstruction ahead. In this case, the AWS equipment has a fault, and this is not happening correctly. As a further line of protection, train drivers will need to stop and get verbal advice before proceeding into the area with the problem. This will cause some delays, but it's a necessary precaution.

Network Rail manage the AWS as part of the overall signalling system and will be investigating where the fault lies. We're working with them to ensure we can run our planned timetable, and we'd like to thank you for your patience during the delays in the area.

We have also been advised that trains are likely to have some further delays due to a fault with a signal in this area. In this case, the signal has been reported to be switching rapidly between different colours and not showing a steady indication to drivers. This means drivers have to stop at the preceding signal and gain verbal instructions to continue. Your journey will unfortunately take longer as a result.

Railway signals are designed to warn drivers that they have to stop because the system can't yet confirm that the route ahead is clear. In most places, the signalling system will show a green light, or aspect, when the track is clear for a long distance ahead, and drivers will then be shown one or two yellow lights to warn them when they are approaching a red signal. This means that they can anticipate the amount of braking that's required to stop before they reach another train or any form of problem on the line. In this case, as the signal isn't reliably showing the necessary indications to drivers, they'll need to take extra safety precautions to travel through the area.

The signalling system is maintained by Network Rail, and we're working closely with them to diagnose the fault and make sure it is fixed as quickly as possible.

Check before you travel:

You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.

Compensation:

You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.