Southeastern customers are being advised to plan ahead and leave more time to complete their journeys over the autumn half-term as Network Rail carries out a major program of railway improvements between Tonbridge and Wadhurst.
The railway will be closed between Tonbridge and Wadhurst from Saturday, Oct. 24, until Sunday, Nov. 1, with the closure extending to Battle on Sunday, Nov. 1. Engineers will use the time when trains are not running to complete essential work to improve reliability, safety and performance on the Hastings line.
Train services from Tonbridge to Charing Cross, Redhill, Ramsgate and Dover Priory will continue as normal over the period.
The main work will renew worn slab track in Grove Hill Tunnel, just south of Tunbridge Wells. Slab track is fixed to a concrete base and is used in some tunnels to strengthen and stabilize the railway. Engineers will replace the old track slab and restore key railway systems in the tunnel.
Engineers will also use the closure to carry out track maintenance and remove three temporary speed restrictions. The hottest and driest summer on record caused some soil beneath railway tracks to dry out and shrink.
As a precaution, staff put temporary speed restrictions in place to keep passengers traveling safely. Recent rainfall has helped restore moisture to embankments, allowing specialist engineering work so the track can be realigned and the speed restrictions removed. This additional work will be completed without extending the line closure.
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