Landslip Forces Week-Long Rail Closure Between Dorking and Horsham

Emergency engineering work to address a landslip near Ockley will result in trains being replaced by buses between Dorking and Horsham from Monday 26 January until at least Friday 30 January.

Network Rail said engineers will be on site throughout the week to stabilise the railway after movement was detected beneath the track. To allow the repairs to be carried out safely, both lines between Dorking and Horsham will be closed, with replacement bus services operating for the duration of the work.

The issue was identified on Friday afternoon when engineers noticed ground movement under the southbound line from Dorking. As an immediate precaution, the route was partially closed, with trains running as a shuttle service on the remaining open line. Further inspections later confirmed that more extensive intervention was required, prompting a full closure of the route while a longer-term solution is implemented.

Passengers travelling through the area are being advised to check their journeys in advance and allow extra time, as bus services will replace trains throughout the affected period. Network Rail said the decision to close both lines was taken to ensure the safety of passengers and staff while preventing further deterioration of the embankment.

Speaking on behalf of Network Rail, Lucy McAuliffe, Route Director, said:

“We’re really sorry for the disruption this week and the short notice of this closure. We know closing the line between Dorking and Horsham is going to be frustrating for passengers, and it’s certainly not a decision we’ve taken lightly. Safety for passengers and railway staff has to come first, and we need to act quickly to make sure that the condition of the embankment does not deteriorate further. Thank you for your patience while we carry out these essential repairs – we’re do everything we can to get the railway back open as soon as possible.”

A Southern Spokesperson has said:

“The landslip in the Ockley area will unfortunately mean there will be no train service between Horsham and Dorking until at least Friday 30th January. We are really sorry for the inconvenience this will cause to customers. A replacement bus service will operate between Dorking, Warnham, Holmwood, and Horsham, in both directions. Network Rail’s engineers are working hard to resolve the issue and we will continue to work closely with them. We advise customers to check the Southern website for the latest travel advice, including ticket acceptance on other services, to help them plan their journeys.”

Image: Network Rail