Services on the North Downs Line between Guildford and Gatwick Airport are set to be disrupted for one week next month whilst Network Rail engineers renew a length of the railway track.

From Saturday 11 to Friday 17 November, the line between Guildford, Reigate, and Gatwick Airport will be closed, which will affect Great Western Railway services between Reading and Gatwick Airport. Train services will continue to operate between Reading and Guildford, but rail replacement bus services will be provided for travel between Guildford, Reigate, and Gatwick Airport.

Although the line between Guildford, Reigate, and Gatwick Airport will be closed, services between London, Redhill, Reigate, and Gatwick will continue to operate as normal.

During the closure, engineers will relay 332m of 50-year-old railway track, including the rails, sleepers, and ballast. They will also replace 16 wheel timbers over the river Wey that provide extra support for the rails over the bridge.

Network Rail’s investment of just under £1m will benefit customers in the long term as the work will extend the life expectancy of the railway infrastructure and reduce the need for speed restrictions.

Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said: “Running a safe and reliable railway is my ultimate priority, and this work is critical to keeping the North Downs Line fully functional.

“Taking this decision to close the railway was not taken lightly, but our engineers will use this time effectively and carry out additional renewals to other parts of the track which will benefit customers for years to come.

“I’d like to thank customers and residents for their patience whilst we carry out this work.”

Steven Hawker, Great Western Railway’s regional station manager for the line, said: “These works are essential to maintaining and improving the railway and we thank those travelling for their patience during this time.

“Buses will replace Great Western Railway trains between Guildford and Gatwick Airport while Network Rail carry out these improvements, and we encourage passengers to check their journey beforehand.”