THESE pictures show how major work on the Brighton mainline is well underway as nine consecutive days of closures come to an end.
There have been no trains running between Brighton, Lewes and Three Bridges since Saturday, February 19, due to a £15 million rail upgrade by Network Rail.
The upgrade, which has been designed to “give passengers a more reliable train service", is set to come to an end on Sunday, however further works are planned for March 5 and March 6, as well as April 12.
Photos released by Network Rail show the extent of the work, including replacing more than 1,000 metres of track at Copyhold Junction, between the Ouse Valley viaduct and Haywards Heath Station.
It is hoped this will increase the speed of the line and help service recovery when delays occur.
Work is also underway to construct an underpass to replace Woodside level crossing in Hassocks.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Where Woodside crossing was, we now see an underpass that will allow people to safely cross under the tracks.
“We had to battle the wind to excavate tonnes of earth, secure the signalling and power cables before lifting 24 concrete sections into place.
“Waterproof lining is being placed over the concrete sections. We will now rebuild the railway over the underpass ready for trains to run again next week.”
Work continued throughout Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin, which battered Sussex with strong winds last week.
The rail company said the level crossing had been used by people attempting to take their own lives, and it hopes that replacing it will help to save lives.
Below the track in Haywards Heath, construction workers have built a 30-metre wall and used nearly 300 five-metre soil nails to stabilise the embankment in order to prevent future delays.
The closure has also allowed work to rebuild the Balcombe tunnel to begin, with a focus on improving drainage to improve the longevity of the track.
During the lengthy closure, Southern and Thameslink customers have been forced to use rail replacement buses.
Network Rail said the nine-day closure allows it to “work around the clock” and causes less disruption than conducting the work over weekends and evenings.
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