Railway Upgrades: Major Engineering work between Borough Green & Wrotham and Ashford International via Maidstone East from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May 

Route(s) affected

Between London Charing Cross / London Victoria and Ashford International and between London Charing Cross and Maidstone East and also between Maidstone East and Ashford International

Description

Engineering work is taking place between Borough Green & Wrotham and Ashford International via Maidstone East, closing all lines. Background information on the work can be found below.

Trains between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East will only run between London Victoria and Borough Green & Wrotham.

Trains between London Charing Cross and Maidstone East / Ashford International will only run between London Charing Cross and Borough Green & Wrotham.

Accessible replacement buses will run between:

• Borough Green & Wrotham and Maidstone East calling at all stations except East Malling

• Maidstone East and Ashford International calling at all stations

A minibus will run between West Malling and East Malling*

*If you are travelling to or from East Malling and have additional assistance requirements we recommend you contact the Southeastern accessible travel team, send #Assist to 07866 002960 on WhatsApp or use the help point at the station so Southeastern can ensure appropriate transport is available for you.

Background information:

During the 9-day line closure, Network Rail will be carrying out essential upgrades to improve the long‑term reliability of the line. Rail engineers will be completing several important projects, including:

• Stabilising rock cuttings near Maidstone East station - installing new netting and bolts on 1,300 yards of track to reduce the risk of rockfalls. Similar work will take place near Wheeler Street tunnel

• Improving the drainage at Wheeler Street tunnel - around 420 metres of drainage will be upgraded as part of over three miles of improvements through Maidstone East. This will help protect the railway from water damage and reduce the risk of landslips

• Upgrading track and switches at Maidstone East - new switches and crossings will be installed at platform 3 to improve reliability

• Track renewals between Harrietsham, Lenham and Charing - replacing nearly 2,500 yards of new and replacement track for smoother journeys. New drainage will also be installed at Lenham to reduce the flood risk

More details on this project are available on the Network Rail website.

Check before you travel:

You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner

Replacement bus travel advice:

For helpful advice if you need to travel on a rail replacement service, including accessibility and bicycle information, please use our Rail Replacement Services page.

You can find the pick-up and set-down location of rail replacement services by checking station signage or by searching for your station on our Find a Station page.

Please be advised that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.