Stormy weather expected to disrupt journeys for Brighton and Hove commuters

Train companies are warning commuters in Brighton, Hove and Portslade to expect delays and cancellations over the next couple of days because of wet and windy weather.

First Capital Connect said that it wouldn’t be running any trains on Tuesday (24 December) until it gets light.

Southern said: “Weather reports for Monday 23 December indicate that the Sussex area will see heavy persistent rain across the region with wind speeds of between 50mph to 60mph from 4pm on Monday through to 9am on Tuesday 24 December.

“During this time we may see winds gusting up to 80mph.

“The high winds will require Southern to reduce our operating speed to 50mph.

“This reduction in speed will require some trains to be cancelled and others, particularly on main line and coastal routes, will be subject to delay.”

First Capital Connect, which runs Thameslink services, issued a similar warning.

It said: “Due to the severe weather expected from Monday 23 December until Tuesday 24 December, Network Rail are going to implement speed restrictions on all our routes and we will be running a reduced timetable on both days.

“On the Thameslink route, we’ll be implementing the reduced timetable from midday on Monday 23 December.

“As the storm will continue throughout the night, the lines have to be checked for damage on Tuesday morning before being released back to us to start running services again.

“There will be no trains on Tuesday in the hours of darkness and we’ll resume service as soon as we are able.

“We advise passengers to check our website or contact our Twitter team (@FirstCC) before they travel and allow plenty of time for their journey.

“We are advising customers to try to get home early on Monday and wherever possible not to travel on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

“Services are likely to remain disrupted until the close of service on Christmas Eve.

“We will continue to monitor the forecast and update our customers as the situation develops.

“We apologise for the disruption to your journey.”