Southern Railway replaces late-night trains with buses on Barnham to Chichester route
Engineering work will close overnight lines from 27 to 31 July, with replacement buses operating between key stations.
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Headline overstates impact with 'face delays' while details show limited disruption.
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Passengers travelling between Barnham and Chichester or Bognor Regis will face disruptions next week as Southern Railway replaces late-night trains with buses. The changes will take effect from 27 July and continue until 31 July, affecting services overnight.
The engineering work, announced by Network Rail, will close all lines on the Barnham to Bognor Regis and Chichester route during the specified period. Southern Railway confirmed that replacement buses will operate, but warned that services may be busier than usual.
Hither Green Station lifts and footbridge to open March 2027
Network Rail's Access for All programme is delivering step-free access to all six platforms.
Affected services and routes
The 10.35pm London Victoria to Chichester service will terminate at Barnham, where passengers will need to board a replacement bus to continue their journey to Chichester. Similarly, the 11.45pm Portsmouth Harbour to Bognor Regis train will be diverted to Littlehampton, with a bus service running from Barnham to Bognor Regis.
Southern Railway stated that the replacement buses will be accessible. However, the operator advised passengers to allow extra time for their journeys, as the buses may experience higher demand than usual.
Southern trains disrupted September 12-13 by engineering works
Passengers should expect longer journeys and replacement buses on several routes across the network.
Why the work is happening
Network Rail said the engineering work is part of regular, planned maintenance to keep the railway running safely and efficiently. A spokesperson told *Your Local Guardian* that such work typically occurs at weekends or after 10pm, though occasional disruptions at other times are unavoidable.
Southern Railway echoed this, stating that the work is necessary to maintain and improve the network. The operator also noted that when accessible replacement buses are not available, its Assisted Travel and customer-facing teams will help disabled passengers plan alternative routes.
What passengers should do
Passengers planning to travel on the affected routes are advised to check Southern Railway’s website or app for real-time updates. The operator has not specified exact timings for the replacement bus services, so travellers should prepare for potential delays.
Southern Railway also reminded passengers that replacement services may take longer than usual. Those with accessibility needs are encouraged to contact the operator’s Assisted Travel team for support in advance.
Other routes affected
While the Barnham to Chichester route is the focus for Barnet residents travelling to or from the south coast, engineering work will also disrupt services on other Southern routes. These include the Oxted to East Grinstead and Uckfield lines, the Tonbridge to Redhill route, and the Lewes to Seaford line.
On the Oxted to Uckfield route, late-night services will terminate at Oxted, with replacement buses running to Crowborough and Uckfield. The Tonbridge to Redhill route will see two services cancelled, replaced by buses. The Lewes to Seaford line will close after 11.25pm, with buses operating instead.
Questions this report answers
+Which trains will be replaced by buses between Barnham and Chichester?
The 10.35pm London Victoria to Chichester train will stop at Barnham, with a replacement bus to Chichester. The 11.45pm Portsmouth Harbour to Bognor Regis service will divert to Littlehampton, with a bus from Barnham to Bognor Regis.
+How long will the engineering work last?
The engineering work will take place overnight from 27 July to 31 July. All lines between Barnham and Bognor Regis or Chichester will be closed during this period, with replacement buses operating.
+Will the replacement buses be accessible?
Southern Railway said replacement buses will be accessible where possible. If not, its Assisted Travel team will help disabled passengers plan alternative routes to complete their journeys.
+What should passengers do if they need to travel during the disruption?
Passengers should allow extra time for their journeys, as replacement buses may be busier than usual. They should also check Southern Railway’s website or app for updates and contact the Assisted Travel team if they have accessibility needs.
WE FILE
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The London Travel Desk assembled this report from the outlets listed below. Language-model drafting is reviewed under human editorial supervision, with scoring notes and corrections kept visible.
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