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Buses to replace various Southeastern trains across Kent on bank holiday weekend

Rail passengers across Kent face disruption this bank holiday weekend.

The main trouble will be for anyone heading towards London Victoria, with extensive work planned on the tracks, but replacement bus services will also affect many stations in the county.

It comes as part of Network Rail’s ongoing £300 million South East infrastructure programme.

Rail passengers are being told to brace themselves for changes to journeys this bank holiday weekend
Rail passengers are being told to brace themselves for changes to journeys this bank holiday weekend

Engineers will be working around the clock to lay new track in the Sevenoaks tunnel after the completion of drainage improvements earlier this year.

From Saturday, August 25 until Bank Holiday Monday, buses will replace trains between Sevenoaks and Tonbridge and between Paddock Wood and Maidstone West.

Engineers will also carry out track upgrades on the approach to London Victoria station.

The work means Southeastern’s London Victoria services will be diverted to run to and from London Blackfriars from Saturday to Monday.

Passengers are being warned of changes this bank holiday weekend
Passengers are being warned of changes this bank holiday weekend

During the period, services between London Victoria and Ashford International, Canterbury West, Dover Priory and Ramsgate will be diverted to run to and from London Blackfriars instead of London Victoria.

Timings will change and services will call at different stations.

On Saturday and Monday services between London Victoria and Bromley South, Orpington and Gravesend and between London Victoria and Dover Priory via Denmark Hill will not run.

On Sunday trains between London Victoria and Orpington will be amended to run to and from London Blackfriars. These services will stop at Elephant & Castle and Herne Hill. London Victoria to Dartford services will not run.

Southeastern trains will be disrupted
Southeastern trains will be disrupted

John Halsall, Network Rail’s South East route managing director, said: “Hundreds of rail workers across the region will be working around the clock over the long weekend to provide vital upgrades that will give passengers more reliable and more comfortable journeys.

“We recognise closing the railway has a huge impact for passengers, which is why we’ve planned the work over the four-day bank holiday weekend, when the railway is much quieter than usual.

“These maintenance and upgrade works are absolutely essential to keep the railway safe for the millions of people who use it each year, so I would like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding and encourage them to plan ahead before travelling.”

Southeastern train services director Ellie Burrows added: “As part of our engineering and upgrade works over the bank holiday there will be a number of alterations. I would like to thank our passengers for their understanding and patience and to ensure they check on our website before embarking upon their journey.”

A breakdown of how some journeys will be affected can be found by visiting www.nationalrail.co.uk/August and following #AugustBHWorks on Twitter.

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