By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter
Londoners have been advised to plan ahead this weekend as major disruption to train services is expected.
Engineering work means there will be a “very restricted service” on the Brighton main line over Saturday and Sunday.
Network Rail are renewing tracks between Purley and Gatwick Airport which will affect Southern and Thameslink trains.
There will be fewer trains running between London and Gatwick, the route that goes through East Croydon Station.
Trains will run just twice per hour between London Victoria and Redhill on Saturday, calling at Clapham Junction and East Croydon.
While on Sunday, trains between London Victoria and East Croydon will run twice an hour, also calling at Clapham. Trains between Bedford and Gatwick Airport and Three Bridges will only run between Bedford and East Croydon.
Replacement buses will run between Purley and Gatwick Airport on Sunday, calling at Coulsdon South, Merstham, Redhill and Horley.
Those catching flights from Gatwick are being advised to leave plenty of time as journeys will take considerably longer.
People going to the airport should use a special two trains per hour between London Victoria and and Gatwick Airport via Epsom and Horsham.
Those travelling between Brighton and London should use this service, changing at Three Bridges, or a replacement bus service between Three Bridges and East Grinstead to connect with London trains there.
Two trains per hour will run between Brighton and the airport.
Southern’s Customer Services Director Chris Fowler said: “We’re sorry for the inconvenience to customers during Network Rail’s essential work.
“They’re transforming Gatwick Airport station and keeping this busy route in good shape. While we’ve arranged alternatives for our customers to get where they need to be, several routes are affected and journeys will take longer than normal, so please check your routes and times on a journey planner, or the Southern or Thameslink website, well ahead of your journey.”
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