Embankment Stabilization Success on Brighton Main Line

In January 2025, a landslip between Three Bridges and Gatwick Airport prompted immediate geotechnical intervention on the Brighton Main Line. Network Rail swiftly acted to prevent further ground movement and maintain operational continuity. One track was temporarily closed while engineers installed a 30-meter sheet pile wall, enabling the quick reopening of all lines and ensuring passenger and freight movement remained largely uninterrupted.

Following the emergency phase, extensive stabilization measures were undertaken to secure the embankment long term. The steepness of the slope was reduced, and thousands of tonnes of stone were used to backfill the area. These actions were necessary not just for restoring infrastructure, but for preventing recurrence under similar geotechnical conditions. The complexity of the site—situated beside an allotment and the Gatwick stream—required careful coordination with environmental specialists.

Daily checks for dormice, newts, and other protected species became part of the work routine. In appreciation of community patience and environmental cooperation, the project team supported local ecosystems by installing dormice and bird boxes, restoring vegetable beds, and donating unused hay to a nearby donkey sanctuary.