Rail passengers facing months of delays will be sent text messages telling them when their trains are late.

Travellers could be told if they face delays as they get ready for work in the morning.

Thameslink is inviting customers using its Sussex to London services, who are facing months of disruptions due to engineering works in the capital, to sign up to a free email and text alert scheme.

Messages can be sent warning people of major disruption on the rail network, giving passengers time to change their plans.

An example text could read: "Train Delayed: Delay on the 15.37 Brighton to Bedford due 18.06 ... This train has been delayed and is now 19 minutes later from Norwood Junction. This is due to a track problem in the Hassocks area."

They will be sent out automatically as soon as Thameslink's central control room learns of delays.

Chris Hudson, communications manager for Thameslink, said: "We send messages about major disruptions as soon as our West Hampstead control knows.

"We will not be sending out messages for minor delays, such as if a particular train is ten minutes late, but for any problems that seriously delay trains due to serious infrastructure problems.

"We can send out messages the night before if we know there are going to be serious problems the following day.

"The text service is available on the whole of our network but, to register, passengers will have notified us of the journey they regularly undertake so we can tell them of any problem as it effects them."

The idea has been launched at the start of major disruption for Thameslink services.

Passengers travelling from London to Sussex will face delays while the weekend cross-London section of track is suspended at night during engineering works and building at St Pancras station.

The track will be closed on Monday and Tuesdays from tomorrow. The disruption is likely to last until January 2004.

Passengers travelling into London from Sussex will need to change at London Bridge.

The company has launched a web site about the works at www.thameslink.co.uk/allchange

Friday September 26, 2003