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Thursday 6 Nov 2025

THREE MONTHS TO GO: Major railway upgrades at Dartford will affect travel for passengers over the February half term next year

Region & Route:

Southern

| Southern: Kent

Rail passengers are being asked to plan ahead of a major upgrade at Dartford Junction.

With just over three months to go, rail passengers in south east London and Kent are being reminded to plan ahead as the line is closing for essential track repairs in Dartford during the February half term next year.

From Saturday 14 February to Sunday 22 February accessible buses will replace Southeastern and Thameslink services between Gravesend and Dartford towards Crayford, Barnehurst, and Slade Green. Services will run as normal into London along the Sidcup, Bexleyheath and Woolwich routes.

Passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys, especially during peak hours when there could be queues for the replacement buses. Detailed travel advice, including bus timetables and ticketing acceptance will be published shortly.

Rail engineers will be carrying out an essential £10 million track upgrade at Dartford Junction, which will help to deliver better journeys by improving the reliability and performance of the busiest railway junction in Kent. The affected stations will also see some refurbishment.

The upgrade includes the renewal of 10 switches and crossings (also known as points), which allow trains to change tracks, and around 400 yards of new rail will be laid between Slade Green and Dartford.

Finally, to take advantage of the line closure, station improvements will be delivered at the same time, including new tactile paving at Dartford station to help improve accessibility.

While the main work on the junction is scheduled for the nine-day closure between 14 and 22 February 2026, there will be additional weekend closures both before and after, with preparation on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 February and follow-up work on Sunday 1 March and Sunday 5 April.

David Davidson, Chief Operating Officer for the 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 of one of the busiest junctions of our network.

“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 to deliver even more benefits for passengers, including installing tactile paving at Dartford station.

“We understand this will have a significant impact and we’re working hard to ensure passengers are fully informed about the closure so that they can make their alternative travel arrangements.”

Passenger information

• During the work, no Southeastern or Thameslink services will operate between Slade Green, Barnehurst, Crayford and Gravesend via Dartford. Replacement buses will be in operation at the stations listed above as well as Northfleet, Swanscombe. Greenhithe and Stone Crossing.
• No Thameslink services will operate between Plumstead and Gravesend. An hourly Thameslink shuttle train service will run between Gravesend and Rainham.
• All Southeastern Metro routes that pass through Dartford will be subject to change.

Highspeed services to and from St Pancras via Gravesend will continue to operate as normal.