Nine-day blockade for Arun Valley upgrade

A nine-day blockade of the Arun Valley Line between Three Bridges and Littlehampton has been confirmed for August 14-22, in order to complete a comprehensive £5 million upgrade in one go.

The work includes deep cleaning, refurbishment and decoration of stations at Crawley, Ifield, Faygate, Littlehaven, Holmwood, Ockley, Horsham, Christ’s Hospital, Billingshurst, Pulborough, Amberley, Arundel and Warnham.

Nine sets of switches and crossings will be replaced at Horsham station, and a new crossover installed. Other track work will take place at Pulborough, Warnham and Barnes Green.

There will be time to stabilise the problematic cutting at Ockley station, by installing a sheet-piled wall to help prevent landslips, as well as preparation for the transfer of control from Littlehaven signal box to the Three Bridges Rail Operating Centre in June 2022. Until nine years ago, this busy level crossing was still controlled by wheel-operated wooden gates.

There are also three weekend line closures in July, and a further two weekend possessions in September and October.