THE major upgrade to the lines between Lewes and Seaford continues until Monday.

Network Rail engineers are replacing all signalling equipment between Lewes and Seaford with new, more reliable technology as part of a £20m signalling upgrade.

More improvements mean triple the number of trains will be able to use the line via Lewes as a diversionary route for services between Brighton and Haywards Heath when the main line is closed.

The railway sidings at Newhaven Marine will also be upgraded to support a potential freight connection in the future.

While the railway is closed between Lewes and Seaford, buses replace trains every ten minutes during the peaks and every 15 minutes off-peak.

Additional buses are available to provide extra capacity if needed.

More information on the replacement bus service is available from the operator and from www.nationalrail.co.uk

Work to future proof power supply and allow future operators to run more trains is also taking place on the line between Lewes and Eastbourne over the August bank holiday weekend.

This is part of a wider programme to upgrade the power supply across Sussex.

This work will take place at night and will not affect train services.

John Halsall, Network Rail’s MD for the South East route, said: “The work we’re carrying out in East Sussex is part of our plan to provide a better, more reliable railway for passengers.

“The new signalling equipment will be far less likely to fail, while our upgraded power supply will give future train operators the option to run more trains.”