Train chaos continues in Sussex and Surrey as red alert enters third day; rail 'buckled' due to heat; collision reported and tree falls on line
Commuters across Sussex and Surrey have faced another difficult morning so far, as rail disruption spread across the network on the third day of the UK's unprecedented three-day Met Office red heat alert.
The railway came under severe strain, shortly after 7pm on Thursday (June 25), when Southern announced that a rail had buckled at Three Bridges, forcing widespread service alterations between Horsham and London.
Engineers were dispatched to repair the damaged track while trains were diverted or cancelled. Services between Bognor Regis and London Victoria were cut back to terminate at Horsham, while other trains were rerouted via Dorking or Hove, significantly extending journey times.
Passengers were repeatedly advised to travel only if their journey was essential and to allow at least 30 minutes of extra time.
Although repairs continued overnight, disruption returned during Friday's morning peak after a train struck an obstruction between Gatwick Airport and Purley, forcing two of the four main lines towards London to close.
The collision, reported around 6.30am, forced two of the four main lines into London to close while emergency inspections took place, bringing services on one of the country's busiest rail corridors to a standstill.
Southern initially warned that trains could be cancelled, delayed or revised until 7:30am, but the disruption quickly escalated as no trains were able to run through the affected section. Passengers were advised to allow at least 30 minutes extra for their journeys and use alternative Southern, Thameslink and Great Western Railway services where possible.
With temperatures forecast to climb into the mid-to-high 30s later in the day, railway operators were already running under emergency heat measures, including speed restrictions designed to reduce the risk of rails buckling in the exceptional conditions.
To improve capacity through the congested Gatwick area, Southern took the decision to suspend all Gatwick Express services for the day, allowing additional Southern services to operate instead.
At the same time, a separate incident between Havant and Chichester saw a tree block the railway during the early morning. Although engineers cleared the obstruction and reopened the line relatively quickly, delays continued while services recovered.
Passengers travelling between stations during the disruption were reminded to remain on board delayed trains and not attempt to leave onto the track, particularly as the Southern network's electrified third rail remains live during most incidents.
By late morning, all four lines between Gatwick Airport and London had reopened following the obstruction incident. However, Southern warned that delays and cancellations would continue while trains and crews were repositioned across the network.
The incidents added to mounting transport difficulties as Britain entered the final day of the historic three-day red heat alert. Rail operators warned that further disruption remained possible throughout the afternoon as extreme temperatures placed additional strain on tracks, signalling equipment and electrical infrastructure.
Transport officials urged passengers to check before travelling, carry water, and allow significantly more time for their journeys as the railway continued operating under exceptional weather conditions.
A Southern Rail warning reads: “If you are travelling to, from, or within extreme heat zones, you are urged to only travel if absolutely necessary during record heatwave.”
Network Rail confirmed that rail customers holding tickets for Tuesday 23rd, Wednesday 24th, Thursday 25th and Friday 26th June – who no longer wish to travel – can claim a full refund with ‘no admin fee charged’.