UPDATE: Rail lines between Horsham and Arundel re-open

But lines between Horsham and Dorking are still closed after a landslip in the Ockley area.

The travel chaos comes on the same day Southern Rail’s average fare increase of 2.87 per cent comes into effect.

Services towards Bognor/Portsmouth and Southampton are unaffected by the flooding.

A spokesperson for Southern Rail said: “The line between Arundel and Horsham will be inspected on Thursday morning.

“In the meantime train services from Portsmouth/Southampton and Bognor towards London will be diverted via Hove or cancelled. A rail replacement Bus service will operating to serve stations between Barnham and Horsham.”

The company advises those travelling to check www.nationalrail.co.uk prior to their journey.

Today Southern Rail commuters will face an average fare rise of 2.87 per cent.

However, Gatwick Express fares are to be frozen at 2013 prices.

Regulated fares for 2014 have been capped by the Government at the July 2013 RPI rate of 3.1 per cent.

Southern has introduced a lower than RPI increase for season ticket holders and has chosen not to use a 2 per cent flex which could have seen some season tickets increase by 5.1 per cent.

An annual season ticket from Horsham to London Victoria is currently priced at £3,608. But when the fare increase takes effect this will jumped to around £3,711.55.

Southern’s commercial director, Alex Foulds, said: “There is good news for all of our season ticket holders as we have chosen not to use flex, meaning that all our season ticket holders will pay a lower increase. It’s also great news for our Gatwick Express passengers as we are freezing fares on the route, and for those looking for cheap off-peak travel, we continue to freeze our cheapest Advance fare at just £5.”