Major disruption for rail users due to blocked line

Rail passengers have experienced significant disruption after one of the UK's busiest railway lines was partially closed.

Trains were suspended on the Brighton Main Line between Three Bridges and Haywards Heath, in West Sussex, on Tuesday due to an emergency services incident near Balcombe.

Southern said that the route had reopened but it would take time before disruption ended.

The train operator advised passengers to allow extra time for their journey after trains, including to Gatwick Airport, had been cancelled or severely delayed.

Rail replacement buses were running between Gatwick and Haywards Heath.

Operators also put ticket acceptance in place on other routes, including on South Western Railway services between Dorking and London and on local bus routes.

Some trains terminated a different destinations while unable to run through the affected area.

British Transport Police said: "We were called to an area of the line close to Balcombe station at about 04:15 GMT following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

"Officers attended along with paramedics but sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene.

"Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances leading up to their death."

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