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Thursday 14 Mar 2024

Essential repairs to Blackheath tunnel to take place over 10 weeks this summer

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Kent

From, Saturday 1 June to Sunday 10 August inclusive, the Blackheath tunnel between Blackheath and Charlton will close as Network Rail begins £10m of essential repairs to the 175-year-old Victorian-era structure. Southeastern trains which normally run through the tunnel will be diverted via other routes during the closure.

The one-mile-long tunnel, which opened in 1849, is prone to leaks and damage from water which filters through the ground above into the tunnel. While the tunnel is safe, the wet conditions are damaging the track and electrical equipment, which has caused around 1,000 minutes of delay to Southeastern customers in the past year.

Over the course of the entire programme of works, Network Rail will replace tens of thousands of bricks damaged by the freezing and thawing of rainwater and install a new concrete tunnel lining to stop water leaking into the tunnel, which will be crucial for the reliable running of the railway long into the future.

They'll also strengthen several filled-in construction shafts that were used during the tunnel’s construction, rebuild drainage systems and carry out other essential track work including ‘wet bed’ removal – waterlogged sections of track that cause bumpy train rides for customers. These extra works will mean less disruption for passengers in the long term.

A closure of 10 consecutive weeks is needed because carrying out work in cramped and narrow tunnels is incredibly difficult. If traditional weekend working was used, engineers would spend 50% of the time available bringing materials and plant in and out of the tunnel, leaving limited time for actual repair work.

David Davidson, Network Rail’s Kent route director, said: “This will be the largest programme of repairs to the Victorian tunnel in its lifetime, and while we recognise it’s an incredibly long closure, 10 weeks is still the least disruptive option for our passengers.

“The alternative would have been an entire year of weekend closures. Delaying the work into the future is not an option either as the track and equipment in the tunnel would only get worse and cause even more delays and disruption to journeys.

“By carrying out the repairs over 10 consecutive weeks we can work more efficiently, give passengers time to plan ahead, and deliver the reliability benefits to customers sooner. We’ve also chosen the summer because data shows the railway is typically quieter, and with less rainfall and drier conditions inside the tunnel, it’s much safer for our colleagues doing the work, allowing quicker progress.

“We’ll do as much work as possible this summer, however, we expect that further work will be needed next summer. During this closure, engineers will use a specialist industrial hoover with a huge wire brush to clean away the soot which has built up over nearly two centuries of use, so that we can inspect the brickwork more thoroughly and identify where repairs are needed.

“We’re really grateful to passengers and are working closely with Southeastern to make sure everyone understands the changes and impact to their journeys, and if further work is needed, we’ll engage closely with stakeholders and passenger groups.”

Scott Brightwell, Operations & Safety Director, said: “We understand a closure like this is disruptive to our customers and their journeys. However, we also know the condition of Blackheath Tunnel means this important work must be carried out to improve the punctuality and reliability of our services going forward.

“We care about our customers journeys during this time, and we are already working closely with our colleagues at Network Rail, DLR and TfL bus services to put in place robust and reliable alternative travel options. More detail is already available on our website and in the coming weeks and months we will be doing everything we can to help customers understand these options and decide which one is right for them, ahead of the work starting on 1st June.

“Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers in advance for their patience and understanding and we look forward to the completion of this years work on Sunday 10th August.” 

Minimising disruption and keeping passengers moving

To minimise disruption and keep passengers moving when work is taking place services from Dartford to Cannon Street via Charlton and Lewisham will run via Greenwich, stopping additionally at Westcombe Park, Maze Hill, Greenwich, and Deptford (see map below). This offers the option to travel on the DLR from Greenwich to Lewisham, which will add around seven minutes to journeys for people who use services which normally travel through the tunnel. The Greenwich Line will have six trains per hour in the off peak (including SE and GTR services) and seven trains per hour in the peak.

There will be a reduction of two trains per hour via Charlton and Blackheath into Cannon Street, which instead both run via Greenwich.

Other services will be diverted along the Bexleyheath line (primarily at weekends or late at night). Our direct services to Charing Cross on the Bexleyheath line are not affected. The Bexleyheath Line will have five trains per hour in the off peak (two to Cannon Street, one to Charing Cross and two to Victoria) and eight in the peak (four to Cannon Street, two to Charing Cross and two to Victoria).

Buses

There will be no rail replacement bus service. To minimise disruption, we are funding ticket acceptance on the 89, 54, 380 and 202 bus routes – there are between four to six buses an hour - for the duration of the closure and we are working with TfL to ensure there is enough space on those buses to accommodate Southeastern customers. Using these buses will add around 15 minutes to journeys.

Customers also have the option of using the new Superloop 3 express (limited stop) bus route which runs from Thamesmead to Bromley North via Abbey Wood, Bexleyheath, and Sidcup train stations. There are four to six buses an hour. We are funding ticket acceptance.

Accessible travel

Customers with accessible needs can make the journey by taxi between Blackheath and Charlton at Southeastern’s expense.