Thursday 30 Mar 2023
REMINDER: One week to go before Network Rail carries out essential work this Easter to stabilise embankments in South Kent and improve the track at Charing Cross station in London
- Region & Route:
- Southern
- | Southern: Kent
From Friday 7 to Monday 10 April customers are being urged to check before they travel as buses replace trains across part of Network Rail’s Southern region.
Passengers travelling between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings are also being reminded to plan ahead and leave more time for their journeys while vital embankment improvements are completed over a nine-day period.
From Friday 7 (Good Friday) to Saturday 15 April, Network Rail’s team of engineers will be working tirelessly to stabilise cuttings and embankments at Wadhurst, Frant and Snape Wood, helping prevent the likelihood and impact of landslips in the future.
During this time, buses will replace Southeastern train services between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings.
On Sunday 9 April, a series of track renewals will also be taking place at Charing Cross station where engineers will be working around the clock to repair and maintain the track to improve reliability for passengers.
Additionally, further maintenance work will be carried out between New Cross and Sidcup/Petts Wood including a points refurbishment – the equipment that guides trains move from one track to another – at St Johns and tamping (compacting the stones that support the tack) and rail grinding in the Hither Green area.
More maintenance work is also happening between Ashford and Dover Priory on Sunday 9 and Monday 10 April. This will include third rail maintenance, track repairs, vegetation clearance, boundary inspections and drainage improvements.
This work taking place across the network means that some trains will start later on some days, and buses replace trains on some routes and journeys may take longer.
Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s Kent route director, said: “We’d like to thank customers for their patience whilst we carry out these important works over the Easter period. Works are being undertaken while customer numbers are lower during Easter to minimise disruption.
“The majority of the route will be open as usual for people to take a short break or visit loved ones, but some services may be affected so we’re asking customers to plan ahead and check journeys in advance.”
Scott Brightwell, Southeastern’s operations and safety director, said: “Our advice to customers travelling over the Easter bank holiday weekend and the week following is to check before they travel.
“We’d ask that customers check the Southeastern website, our app, contact us on Twitter @Se_railway, or at our WhatsApp number on 07866 002 690 for more information.”
Notes to Editors
At Wadhurst and Frant, sections of a reinforced concrete wall will be built to prevent trees and soil reaching the tracks. On sections of the line near Snape Wood hundreds of five-metre-long soil nails will also be driven into the cutting to help stabilise the slopes.
In Mountsfield tunnel near Robertsbridge, 500m of track will also be replaced and sections of the track slab rebuilt. The track slab acts as a track bed for the running rails, conductor rail and sleepers in the tunnel, as well as supporting the tunnel structure. The existing track slab was built in the 1970s and needs replacing after 50 years of wear and tear.
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