Train operators tell passengers not to travel to Gatwick amid heavy flooding

Rail passengers south of Gatwick on the Brighton main line urged not to travel

One of the busiest days of the winter for travellers has begun with widespread disruption for passengers by rail and air.

The London-Gatwick-Brighton main railway line, which is one of the most intensively used in Europe, is closed just south of the airport because of overnight flooding, with train operators warning passengers not to travel if possible.

Three train operators – Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express – are affected.

Southern is telling travellers: “The Balcombe area is currently flooded. Due to the consistent rainfall, the water level has reached rail level height, this means trains are not able to to travel over the track.

“Network Rail have dispatched track maintenance teams to the area, to assess and take whatever action may help.”

No services can run between Three Bridges, the station immediately south of Gatwick, and Haywards Heath.

“Attempts are being made to run services between Brighton and Haywards Heath,” says Southern.

Services are still running between London and Three Bridges, but with many trains stranded south of the flooded area schedules are in disarray.

Passengers are warned: “We strongly advise to not travel at this time.

“You may wish to use alternative routes to reach your destination, or make your own way to your destination. Please be mindful that roads will also be suffering from the increased rainfall.”

Passengers travelling to and from Gatwick, particularly from the south coast, are being told: “You should strongly consider making private travel arrangements in order to get to your flight in time.”

Travellers can use their tickets on buses between Crawley, Haywards Heath and Brighton, but these cannot handle the thousands of prospective passengers – and may also be disrupted by the weather.

Passengers can try using the coast line to Barnham and changing there for Gatwick and London, but the journey will take at least an hour longer than usual.

Southern says that Buxted and Uckfield are also cut off by flooding. Travellers can use Southeastern services from Tunbridge Wells, if they can reach the town.

There is also heavy flooding between Exeter and Taunton, causing problems for passengers on GWR and CrossCountry services.

As departures began at Heathrow on its busiest day of the winter, Eurocontrol in Brussels warned airlines using the airport: “Arrivals regulated due to weather, low ceiling. Moderate to high delays.”

Similar problems are being experienced at Luton and London City airports.

Eurocontrol is also warning of en-route flight delays because of a shortage of staff at air-traffic centres in Germany and Portugal.