Severe Train Disruptions in Sussex, UK, Cause Delays and Cancellations: All You Need to Know

Published on June 20, 2025

Yesterday evening, Sussex travelers faced blanket disruption as various incidents across the Southern Rail network led to severe cancellations and delays. From technical malfunctions to animal incidents that blocked roads, passengers had to contend with disheartening journey conditions as train services had severe disruptions.

Southern Rail issued a “do not travel” advisory for areas that were disrupted and encouraged passengers to refrain from making their journeys.

Signal Fault and Delays to Haywards Heath
Southern Rail reported a significant fault with the signaling system at Wivelsfield station, leading to delays for passengers traveling toward Haywards Heath. Due to the fault, train drivers had to be manually guided past signals, which further complicated the situation and caused severe delays to scheduled services. Commuters on these routes were left uncertain about their travel times, with many experiencing long waits and disruptions.

Sheep on the Tracks at Southease
In a more unusual incident, Southern Rail also reported sheep on the railway track at Southease, near Lewes, which caused delays between Lewes and Seaford. While animal-related incidents are rare, this unexpected obstruction led to further disruption for those traveling along this route. Southern Rail quickly worked to remove the animals and clear the tracks, but delays continued to accumulate in the surrounding areas.

Points Failure at Havant
A critical point failure at Havant station worsened the situation. Points failure occurs when the mechanical switches that guide trains onto the correct tracks fail to operate properly. This malfunction caused severe delays across the network, affecting several services. Southern Rail issued an update stating that no trains could run between certain locations, leaving many passengers stranded and forcing last-minute changes to their travel plans.

Service Suspensions and Terminations
Southern Rail also announced that services between Bognor Regis and Barnham would be suspended until further notice. Passengers traveling on this route were left with no options for direct connections, as services were halted due to the issues at the various stations.

Additionally, the regular services between Brighton and Portsmouth & Southsea were forced to terminate and restart from Chichester, creating further inconvenience. Travelers on these routes had to make their way to Chichester for onward connections to Portsmouth, significantly extending their journey time.

For trains typically running between London Victoria and Portsmouth Harbour/Bognor Regis, the disruption caused them to not split at Horsham and instead terminate at Barnham. Passengers were advised to alight at Barnham and take an alternative train toward Portsmouth.

Impact on Southampton and Brighton Services
The disruption also affected services between Brighton and Southampton Central. These trains were diverted and ran a shuttle service, one train per hour, between Havant and Chichester to maintain passenger connections. While this shuttle service was implemented, passengers were advised to expect significant delays.

Southern Rail reported a delay in train crew arrivals at Worthing, further hindering operations. In addition, trains running on the route west of Worthing toward Barnham and Bognor Regis were heavily delayed, with the line blocked for a significant period. Commuters were urged to consider alternate routes, and Southern Rail strongly advised against traveling between Brighton, Haywards Heath, and Three Bridges due to the ongoing disruption.

Passenger Frustration and Complaints
Many passengers were understandably frustrated by the unexpected delays. One commuter traveling on the 5:43 PM service to Southampton, which had been diverted to Portsmouth Harbour, expressed their frustration at the situation. They mentioned that the train guard’s initial statement about the disruption potentially lasting for hours caused unnecessary panic. However, the passenger also acknowledged that Southern Rail staff worked to resolve the issue and get the train moving in a safe manner. Despite the efforts, the confusion and uncertainty created a stressful environment for commuters.

Ticket Acceptance and Alternatives
In an attempt to alleviate the disruption, Southern Rail introduced a policy of alternate ticket acceptance. Passengers were allowed to use tickets on services from other rail providers, including Great Northern, Thameslink, and Southern, on any reasonable route to their destination. Additionally, London Underground and London Overground services were included in the alternative options.

For those traveling in the Sussex region, Southern Rail extended the acceptance of tickets on buses operated by Stagecoach. These buses provided service between key locations such as Littlehampton, Bognor Regis, Chichester, Havant, and Portsmouth. By offering these alternatives, Southern Rail hoped to provide some relief to the stranded passengers.

Further Delays Expected
Southern Rail warned passengers that the disruption would likely continue throughout the evening, with services only returning to normal late in the night. Passengers traveling to Brighton were advised to plan alternative routes via Lewes or Horsham, which would add at least an hour to their journey times. Southern Rail also mentioned that services to and from Southampton were temporarily halted, with no immediate resolution in sight.

Additional Updates on the Disruption
As the evening wore on, more updates were issued regarding the affected services. Trains between London Victoria and Portsmouth Harbour faced delays due to a points failure between Chichester and Portsmouth Harbour. Although the issue was eventually resolved by 9:20 PM, Southern Rail continued to urge passengers to check their journey plans and be prepared for further changes.

The final update came by 9:45 PM, with Southern Rail confirming that the disruption had ended and trains were running as normal once again. However, the damage had already been done, as many passengers had been severely delayed or forced to seek alternative routes to reach their destinations.

Delay Repay Eligibility
As is customary in cases of significant delays, Southern Rail confirmed that passengers who were delayed by 15 minutes or more due to the incidents could be eligible for the company’s “delay repay” compensation scheme. Passengers affected by the disruption can submit claims for compensation for the time lost during their journey, offering some form of relief for their inconvenience.

Conclusion
Yesterday evening’s disruptions in Sussex proved to be a real headache for passengers, with various incidents resulting in large-scale delays, cancellation, and disarray. The advice to avoid traveling and take alternative modes of transport by Southern Rail was a cautious move, considering the sheer extent of disruptions. Even though the disruption is over now, June 18’s incidents are a reminder of the intricacies that go into ensuring a smooth rail operation.

References: Southern Rail Official Website, Stagecoach Bus Services, National Rail Enquiries, UK Government Rail Safety and Standards Board