Gatwick Express passengers face further weekend disruption

Network Rail is carrying out major engineering work between Redhill and Gatwick on Saturday and Sunday (March 10-11)

Line closures will affect a number of rail operators, including Gatwick Express, and there will be no direct services between London or the south coast and Gatwick on Sunday.

Gatwick Express, Southern Rail, Thameslink and Great Western Railway services will all be affected.

It comes after chaotic scenes at Redhill station over the weekend of February 24-25 where hundreds of holidaymakers found themselves stranded when a limited rail replacement bus service failed to meet demand.

Passengers took to social media to report vast queues and overcrowding while Reigate MP Crispin Blunt branded the situation a "dangerous shambles".

Southern Rail, the operator responsible for the replacement bus service, has since apologised and pledged to increase capacity during future weekend works.

Gatwick Express has said passengers should expect "significant amendments" to journeys this weekend, including replacement bus services.

"Services will be extremely busy and you should allow extra time for your journey," it said on its website.

On Saturday, there will be a reduced Gatwick Express and Southern service and trains will run to an amended timetable.

Trains will be diverted between Purley and Gatwick and will not call at stations between Purley and Horley. Replacement buses will run between Redhill, Horley and Edenbridge.

Between 8am and 8pm, Thameslink trains will run between London Bridge and Redhill.

Outside these hours, buses will replace trains between Purley and Redhill. Trains between Bedford and Brighton will run to a reduced, amended timetable.

On Sunday, buses will replace Gatwick Express, Southern and Thameslink trains between Redhill and Gatwick.

All weekend, Great Western Railway services between Reading and Gatwick will start and terminate at Redhill, with buses to the airport.