Story perspectives

Heat Buckling Prompts Rail Repairs After Two Derailments

8/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

Two passenger trains derailed near Lewes on Thursday and near Wickford, Essex on Friday, injuring 20 and prompting Rail Accident Investigation Branch investigations.
Southern Rail halted services between Lewes and Haywards Heath.
Network Rail is painting rails, adding sleeper anchors and re-stressing tracks to curb heat buckling.
Professor Phil Blythe warned upgrades could take a decade and face funding limits; the Department for Transport will publish a resilience strategy.

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Story summary

Two passenger trains derailed near Lewes on Thursday and near Wickford, Essex on Friday, injuring 20 and prompting Rail Accident Investigation Branch investigations.
Southern Rail halted services between Lewes and Haywards Heath.
Network Rail is painting rails, adding sleeper anchors and re-stressing tracks to curb heat buckling.
Professor Phil Blythe warned upgrades could take a decade and face funding limits; the Department for Transport will publish a resilience strategy.