As announced last week, Network Rail will be working on the track between Guildford in Surrey and Gatwick Airport from Saturday 11 to Friday 17 November, and train services will not run.

While the work is being carried out, trains will operate between London, Redhill, Reigate and Gatwick, but trains will not run on the line between Guildford and Reigate. Passengers planning to use this route may instead use rail replacement bus services between Guildford and Gatwick Airport.

During the week of work, engineers will renew the track on the North Downs Line, which links Reading and Guildford with Redhill and Gatwick Airport.

The engineers will upgrade 332m of 1970s track, rails, sleepers, and ballast, and will replace sixteen-wheel timbers over the River Wey, which is a main tributary of the River Thames.  The North Downs line passes through the gap in the Downs that is formed by the River Wey.

Network Rail is spending nearly a million pounds on this work, which will extend the life expectancy of the railway infrastructure and reduce the need for speed restrictions. This will allow GWR to run smooth and reliable services.

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.”