Disruption on Kent trains due to urgent repairs to track

No trains between Rainham and Sittingbourne expected until the end of Sunday 3 March

Author: Grace O'HarePublished 26th Feb 2024

Network Rail have confirmed there will be no trains between Rainham and Sittingbourne until Sunday (3 March) as urgent repairs are being made to the track.

The repairs are being taken place in the Newington area, following the landslip that occurred on Friday (23 February).

What's happened?

A landslip occurred near Newington on Friday 23 February. Network Rail will be working over the next week to repair the embankment and the line and the line is expected to reopen on Monday 4 March.

How does this affect my journey?

Network Rail expect to run trains on the following routes on Monday 26 February.

  • Gillingham to London Victoria via Denmark Hill
  • Rochester to London St Pancras International
  • Ramsgate to Sittingbourne
  • Dover Priory to Sittingbourne

These trains will run hourly, except during the morning rush hour when there will be two trains per hour between Rochester and London St Pancras International, and also between Gillingham and London Victoria.

Trains between Ramsgate, Dover, Faversham and the Medway Towns to London Cannon Street will not run.

For stations between Westgate-on-Sea and Sittingbourne you may travel on alternative services via Ramsgate / Dover Priory and return on another train towards London.

Alternatively, you can also travel on services from London Victoria to Gillingham and connect with a replacement bus service.

You may use your ticket on the following alternative services:

  • Southeastern highspeed services via Ashford
  • London Underground between our London terminal stations
  • Thameslink between London St Pancras International and Rainham
  • Fastrack Buses between Ebbsfleet International and Gravesend

If you do need to travel and have no alternative options then Network Rail are running a limited bus service between Sittingbourne and Gillingham while the line is closed.

A spokesperson for the company said: "Please allow additional time for your journey and we expect queuing arrangements to be in place at busy times."

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