Train passengers across Kent are facing delays for up to four weeks as emergency work is carried out to fix a damaged section of track.

Network Rail engineers worked through the night to remove the affected piece of railway, which is where a number of main routes meet.

Replacement equipment will have to be made, which means commuters across the county could face disruption for most of the month.

Morning and evening peak trains have been affected all week, and temporary timetables have been put in place.

Southeastern will implement a revised timetable from Monday onwards.

Trains between London Victoria and Dartford via Bexleyheath will be diverted via Sidcup calling at Crayford, Sidcup, New Eltham, Mottingham and Hither Green in both directions.

Passengers travelling between London Victoria and stations between Lewisham and Dartford via Bexleyheath will need to change trains at Lewisham.

Alternatively, they can use stations on neighbouring lines, via Woolwich or Sidcup, at no extra cost.

There are also a number of cancellations, which affect the 6.53am from Barnehurst to London Victoria, the 8.17am from Slade Green to London Victoria, the 7.38am from Barnehurst to Charing Cross and the 8.11am from Sidcup to Charing Cross.

Changes to calling patterns for some services from Gillingham and Dartford will also apply.

Tickets are being accepted on trains from Blackfriars to London Bridge until services go back to normal, and passengers are being advised to check before they travel.

A number of services across south east London have also had to be changed.

Southeastern managing director David Statham said: "We are really sorry for the inconvenience that the repair work at Lewisham has caused our passengers over the course of the past week.

"We have worked to ensure that a robust timetable is in place from Monday and will be challenging Network Rail to complete the repairs within the timeframe that has been identified.

"In the meantime, our front line teams are working hard to provide information and advice to passengers, including handing out details of changes to timetables at stations affected.

"We’d like to thank all of our passengers for their patience while we work with Network Rail to restore your service."

Network Rail's area director for Kent, Ellie Burrows, added: "The piece of equipment that has failed allows trains to cross from one set of tracks to another at Lewisham.

"Unfortunately, it is not an off-the-shelf piece of equipment, so a bespoke replacement will have to be made for this location.

"We hope to have the railway back in full operation within four weeks and in the meantime, I apologise to passengers who have had to change their journeys.

"We have a stringent testing regime that picked up the damaged rail, but the problem was so serious we had to take immediate action."

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