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Thursday 18 Sep 2025

FIVE WEEKS TO GO: Passengers asked to plan ahead and check before they travel this half-term as railway closes between Tunbridge Wells, Hastings and Bexhill for essential improvement work

Region & Route:

Southern: Kent

| Southern

Southeastern and Southern passengers are being asked to plan ahead over the October half-term if travelling on the Hastings line between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings, and between Bexhill-on-Sea and Hastings. 

Passengers travelling between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings and between Bexhill and Hastings are advised to plan ahead as a major programme of improvement work takes place between Saturday 25 October and Sunday 2 November 2025. 

Buses will replace Southeastern trains between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings, and Southern trains between Bexhill and Hastings for all nine days.  

Engineers will use the time to deliver a wide range of essential upgrades to improve the safety, and performance of the railway. 

David Davidson, chief operating officer for the South Eastern Railway, said: “We’d like to thank passengers in advance for their patience while we carry out this essential work.  

“We’ve invested significantly in the Hastings line in recent years to address challenges that go back to the line’s construction over 170 years ago and the work we are doing now is part our continued commitment to improving journeys for passengers. 

“We know that closures are disruptive, and we’re doing everything we can to keep people moving with replacement buses and clear travel information while also taking the opportunity to do other work at the same time to further minimise future disruption. 

“We know from previous experience that carrying out work over consecutive days allow us to do more work, more efficiently and with less overall impact to customers.  

Southern’s Customer Service Director Jenny Saunders said: “The line between Eastbourne and Ashford provides important connectivity for the towns along its route, and these works will help ensure the infrastructure stays reliable for years to come. 

“There is never a good time to close the railway, but we will have plenty of staff, and buses, to help passengers complete their journey.” 

Passengers should make a note of the dates now and then closer to the time check before they travel using National Rail Enquiries or their train operator’s website. 

Passengers should allow extra time for their journeys and check before they travel using National Rail Enquiries or their train operator’s website. 

In two tunnels near St Leonards Warrior Square station, brickwork will be repaired and drainage upgraded to stop leaks damaging railway equipment within the ‘Bo Peep’ and Hastings tunnels.  During this time, the footbridge at nearby West St Leonards station will also be refurbished without inconveniencing customers.  

Nearly a kilometre of old rails, sleepers and ballast will be replaced between Etchingham station and Mountfield tunnel and the ballast, the stones that form the track bed, is being replaced between Castle Bridge and Riverhall, helping to reduce faults and delays. 

At Frant station and Wadhurst tunnel, engineers will improve reliability by refurbishing the moveable rails, known as switches, that allow trains to change path. The track circuits, the part of the signalling system that detects a train’s location, will also be replaced. 

Embankments and cuttings are being stabilised and strengthened near Frant and Wadhurst stations to help reduce the risk of landslips and delays. 

Vegetation will be cleared and rock anchors added to the cutting slope on the approaches to the Mountfield tunnel. 

Between Strawberry Hill and Frant station, and from Crowhurst station to Mountfield tunnel, overgrown vegetation will be cleared to keep track safe from debris and falling trees. 

Alternative Travel advice 

A replacement bus service will operate between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings, and between Bexhill and Hastings. 

Ticket acceptance at no extra cost is also available for Southeastern customers on the following routes. 

• From Hastings/Ore to Ashford International. 

• On highspeed services between Ashford International and London St Pancras. 

• From Stonegate, Wadhurst or Frant passengers can use the Southern route from Uckfield. 

Full details of the alternative travel advice is available on the Southeastern website.

Notes to editors 

In addition to the nine-day closure, on the two weekends before – Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 and Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 October, buses will also replace trains between Bexhill and Ashford International.  

There will also be a bus replacement on the Southeastern route as follows: 

11 October – Buses will replace trains between Battle and Hastings 

12 October – Buses will replace trains between Robertsbridge and Hastings 

18 October - Buses will replace trains between Battle and Hastings 

19 October - Buses will replace trains between Battle and Hastings