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Tuesday 22 Jul 2025

South Eastern Railway and Thameslink issue early notice of major engineering work through Dartford next year

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Kent

• Network Rail engineers will carry out essential work from Saturday 14th to Sunday 22nd February 2026.
• Buses to replace trains at the stations between Gravesend and Dartford to Slade Green, Barnehurst and Crayford, over the February half-term 2026.
• South Eastern Railway and Thameslink are giving advance notice to passengers to help them plan ahead.

Rail passengers in south east London and Kent are being advised of major engineering work in the Dartford area over the February half-term next year, which will mean buses replace trains between Gravesend, Dartford, Slade Green, Barnehurst and Crayford.

Dartford Junction is one of the busiest railway junctions in Kent and supports tens of thousands of customer journeys between London and north Kent every day. The £10 million investment will improve the reliability of the railway and help to provide more punctual journeys for customers.

Buses will replace trains between Gravesend, Dartford, Slade Green, Barnehurst and Crayford between Saturday 14^th and Sunday 22^nd February 2026 (inclusive), as well as the weekends of Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th February, Sunday 1st March and Sunday 5th April, for preparation works.

The upgrade includes the renewal of 10 switches and crossings (also known as points), which allow trains to change tracks. Around 400 yards of new rail, and the conductor rail that powers trains, will be laid between Slade Green and Dartford. Additionally, platform adjustment work at Dartford station will reduce the stepping distance between platforms and trains, improving safety and the passenger experience.

An extensive awareness campaign has now begun to inform customers well in advance of the closure to help them plan ahead. More detailed information, including bus departure times and alternative travel options will be provided in the autumn.

David Davidson, Chief Operating Officer for South Eastern Railway, said: “The work at Dartford Junction, where 650 trains pass every day, is a vital investment in the long-term resilience and efficiency at one of the busiest sections on the South Eastern Railway network.

“We know there’s never a good time to do work like this, but we’ve deliberately chosen the half- term to minimise disruption, when schools are on holiday and fewer people are commuting. To make the most of the time available, we’ll also carry out additional improvement work at Dartford station.

“We understand this closure will significantly impact travel, and we’re working hard to ensure passengers are fully informed about its impact and the alternative travel arrangements available.”

Passenger information

• During the work, no South Eastern Railway or Thameslink services will operate between Slade Green, Barnehurst, Crayford, and Gravesend via Dartford. Replacement bus services will be provided.
• No Thameslink services will operate between Plumstead and Gravesend. An hourly Thameslink shuttle train service will run between Gravesend and Rainham.
• All South Eastern Railway Metro routes that pass through Dartford will be subject to change.
• Highspeed services to and from St Pancras via Gravesend will continue to operate.
• There will be temporary reductions in peak-time services, particularly affecting the Hayes and Sidcup lines, with minor impacts on the Bexleyheath, Greenwich, and North Kent lines.
• Service reductions will also affect Lewisham, St Johns, New Cross, and London terminals due to the changes at Dartford.
• Passengers are being encouraged to make a note of the dates when the work is taking place. In mid-November, around 12-weeks before the closure, more detailed information including revised train and replacement bus times will be available in journey planners on the operator’s website, and at National Rail.