A trespass incident at Worthing is causing disruption to journeys through the station.
Services may be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised.
Disruption is expected until 01:00.
Customer Advice
A trespasser has been reported at Worthing, and electrical power to the track has been switched off for their safety.
We've recently been told about this incident, and we're working to get more information for you.
Your journey is likely to be delayed, but we don't have an exact estimate for this at the moment.
You'll be able to see any further updates on this page, so please continue to check back here.
If you need to use another route, we'll let you know shortly, but these will be very limited at this time of day.
Planning your journey:
You can see a live map of the network here. This will now start to show where your journey is likely to be delayed.
If you're waiting on a train which is delayed between stations:
If your train is delayed between stations, please remain where you are and listen to announcements,or speak to staff for further information. We'll get you moving as soon as possible. We're aware of your location, and our teams will be doing everything they can to help you continue your journey.
Please don't leave the train unless you are asked to do so. Other trains may still be moving in the area, and the track is also a very hazardous environment. In areas where the trains are powered by an electric third rail, this usually stays live and dangerous during incidents, and looks the same as other rails.
If you can't get all the way to your destination tonight:
We won't leave you stranded. Please travel as far as you can towards your destination, either by train or by using an alternative route.
When you've made your journey as far as possible, please speak to station staff, where available.
If there are no staff, you can use the green Emergency button on the station Help Point at stations run by Southern. At stations which are run by other train companies, please use the Information button on the Help Point, and the message will be passed through to us.
You can also speak to us on social media:
We will arrange alternative transport, but this may take some time to arrive. We'd like to thank you for your patience.
Can you tell me more about the incident?
At the moment, we're working with local staff and our colleagues at Network Rail to assess the situation.
In this case, we've needed to stop trains entirely, as it's not safe to run services past the person. Emergency services and Network Rail responders are attending to make sure the person is removed.
Trespassing on the railway is very dangerous. Trains run all day, every day - whether passenger trains, freight trains or specialist engineering work machines. It's not possible to be sure that you can hear when a train is coming, and in many cases, you won't see a train until it is very close to you.
In many areas, trains are powered by an electric third rail, which carries a dangerous electric current. There are also other electrical systems and cables, slippery surfaces, steep drops and other hazards.
Network Rail manage the railway infrastructure, and they're working hard to educate everyone about these dangers and prevent people from accessing the track. You can see their latest safety campaigns here.
As well as the dangers, trespassing on the railway is also illegal, and obstructing the railway can carry severe penalties.
Check before you travel:
You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner
Compensation:
You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.