Passengers face week of major disruption on Hastings to Charing Cross line
Buses will replace trains between Tonbridge and Wadhurst from Saturday October 24 – Sunday November 1 creating misery and longer journeys for rail users.
The line closure, due to engineering work, comes into affect at 10.30pm on Saturday October 24.
On Sunday 1 November only, when the engineering work extends further south, replacement buses will operate between Tonbridge and Battle.
Journey times will be longer than usual and passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys. Customers requiring assisted travel should continue to book assistance in the usual way.
Rail operator South Eastern has said the line closure is to allow important improvement work to take place.
At the heart of the programme is the renewal of specialist slab track through Grove Hill Tunnel, just south of Tunbridge Wells. During the closure, engineers will remove and replace the life-expired track slab, carry out associated track renewals and reinstate railway systems within the tunnel
At Wadhurst tunnel, teams will carry out tunnel maintenance along with detailed examinations of the tunnel bore, portals and shafts. These inspections are an important part of keeping the railway safe and reliable and help identify repairs that may be required in future
Near Stonegate, engineers will undertake earthworks investigations, including drainage surveys, track monitoring and condition assessments. The work will help improve understanding of the cutting and drainage systems, supporting the long-term resilience of the railway
At Etchingham, a new uninterruptible power supply will be installed to improve the resilience of railway systems serving the route. Engineers will also repair the station canopy, improving the station environment for customers. While the line is closed, bridge and drainage inspections in the surrounding area will also be completed
Around Robertsbridge and Mountfield, maintenance teams will replace life-expired track components, examine Mountfield Tunnel and carry out surveys to support future railway upgrades
Further work across the route includes vegetation management, drainage inspections, routine track maintenance and structural examinations, helping to make the most of the closure and reduce the need for future disruption.
A Southeastern spokesperson said: “Our engineering teams have widened the scope of the work they are doing beyond the original plan and are taking advantage of the closure to repair damaged track on the Hastings line caused by dry soil conditions. In turn, this will lead to some temporary speed restrictions being removed.
“The hottest and driest summer on record caused some sections of soil underneath railway tracks to dry out and shrink. As a precaution, temporary speed restrictions were put in place to keep passengers travelling safely.
“Recent rainfall has helped restore moisture to embankments, allowing specialist engineering work to take place so the track can be realigned and the speed restrictions removed.”