Returning to normal: disruption between Strood and Rochester expected until 14:00 

Route(s) affected

Southeastern between London St Pancras International and Faversham / Ramsgate, between London Cannon Street and Gillingham (Kent) / Broadstairs, and also between London Victoria and Gillingham (Kent) / Ramsgate / Dover Priory

Thameslink between Luton and Rainham (Kent)

Description

Trains can begin to resume between Strood and Rochester following an earlier safety inspection of the track. Trains between these stations may still be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised.

Additionally, there is also a fault with the signalling system in the Rochester area.

Disruption is expected until 14:00.

Customer advice for Southeastern:

What's happened?

Following a safety inspection of the track in the Rochester area, all lines have reopened.

How does this affect my journey?

Trains can now run at normal line-speed between Strood and Rochester but may still be revised as we work to recover the service.

What should I do?

Rail replacement buses will support the train service where necessary, with Gillingham, Faversham, Rochester to be covered where necessary.

You may use your ticket at no extra cost on the following Stagecoach bus routes to/from Canterbury:

• X3, 15, 12

Alternative routes:

For details of alternative routes that may be available to complete your journey, please refer to our Alternative routes during disruption maps.

How can I stay up to date?

You can follow Southeastern on Twitter (X) @SE_Railway or follow the Southeastern WhatsApp channel.

Customer advice for Thameslink:

Due to an earlier track inspection on the line near Rochester, trains were unable to run between Strood and Rainham. Trains on this route are also being delayed by a fault with the signalling system, which means that trains must run at reduced speeds.

You can continue to travel using your normal route, but it may take up to 30 minutes longer than usual to reach your destination.

Ticket Acceptance:

Tickets will still be accepted on the following services at no additional cost:

• Thameslink services on any other reasonable route

• Southeastern services between Rainham, Gravesend and London

• London buses between London and Dartford

You can see the live departure boards, and view a live map of the network.

You can also view an alternative route guide.

If you're travelling in the London area, you can plan journeys on alternative routes by using the TfL Journey Planner. You can use the Thameslink app to find up-to-date information.

Can you tell me more about the incident?

There were reports of a possible issue with the track in the affected area. Network Rail have attended and the issue has been resolved. Engineers are also on site to attend to a fault with the signalling system in the area, which continues to delay trains on this route.

There are various different types of defects, and the first advice usually comes from drivers or other staff travelling through the area. Response staff will check the location which has been specified and find out whether the track is still supported correctly, whether the rails themselves are in the usual condition, and if there are any problems with the fixings and metalwork which attach the rails to the sleepers.

Check before you travel:

You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.

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.

Compensation:

You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.