Guildford to Gatwick Line improvements

Signalling, bridges and embankments are all being upgraded during February closure

What work is taking place?

During a 16-day closure in February 2025, we’ll be upgrading parts of the North Downs Line, which links Reading and Guildford with Redhill and Gatwick Airport.

Over the course of the 16 days, we’ll be:

  • Continuing our work to modernise the signalling in the area, including the renewal of 4 level crossings
  • Stabilising one of the cuttings (embankments) that border the railway in Gomshall
  • Laying new wheel timbers on the railway bridge over the River Wey

When is the work taking place?

We will be working on the line from Saturday 1 February to Sunday 16 February 2025, which means the railway between Guildford and Gatwick will be closed.

How will this work affect me?

During this closure, buses will replace Great Western Railway train services. There’ll be a bus running from Guildford to Redhill, stopping at all stations on the line between. Another bus service will run direct to Gatwick Airport.

Nearby residents may experience an increase in noise and activity coming from the railway. We’ll send letters to those living nearby with more details closer to the time.

Why is the work needed?

We’re upgrading the level crossings and signalling in the area to make the railway safer for drivers, pedestrians and train drivers. We’re putting in double lane barriers as opposed to single, reducing the chance of vehicles crossing the track when barriers are down.

Our engineers are also working on the railway bridge over the River Wey. We’ll be changing the material of the wheel timbers, the blocks that carry tracks over bridges, to a new synthetic material. This material remains sturdy enough to carry the tracks for 30 years longer than the current material. This means fewer future closures for passengers to allow us to renew them.

Get in touch

For more information or to get in touch with us, please contact us by visiting our contact us page or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.