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Wednesday 11 Nov 2020

Network Rail engineers make tracks to Whitstable for two weekends of work

Region & Route:

Southern: Kent

| Southern

Engineers will be visiting the seaside this month - but not for a holiday. Old rails, sleepers and even the trackbed the railway sits on will be dug up and replaced through the Kent seaside town of Whitstable over the next two weekends.

Starting in the railway station and working east, Network Rail engineers and suppliers will be replacing old rails and sleepers with new kit, and will be digging right down to the soil underneath. Heavier rail will be laid and the complete digging out of the trackbed will help keep the tracks level in future, giving passengers a smoother ride.

Buses will replace trains from Faversham to Herne Bay over the weekends on 14-15 November and 21-22 November, with work also taking place on certain weeknights through the town.

Network Rail’s route director for Kent, Fiona Taylor, said: “There’s never a good time to close the railway, particularly to a popular place like Whitstable, but with fewer people travelling we hope this work will have less of an impact. We’re not just replacing worn-out rails but giving the whole line a full replacement.

“I’d like to thank our essential workers travelling with us over the next two weekends, but also our neighbours, who will no doubt see and hear us working in the coming weeks.”

Southeastern’s Train Services Director, Scott Brightwell, said: “Above all, our passengers want punctual, safe and reliable journeys, and this work by Network Rail helps to achieve a more robust railway for the future. We ask that people please check before they travel on the Southeastern website, our On Track app or via Twitter @Se_Railway before they set out, to plan their journey in advance.”