Train services were disrupted amid reports of a “smell of gas” in a tunnel.

Southeastern received reports of the incident between Sevenoaks and Tonbridge railway stations at about 5.30pm on Monday (May 19).

While it was investigated, the tunnel was shut and all lines were blocked.

A replacement bus service ran between Sevenoaks and Tonbridge.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “We’re really sorry to any customers who were delayed as a result of a suspected gas leak in the Sevenoaks Tunnel on Monday evening.

“This prevented Southeastern trains running through the tunnel between Sevenoaks and Tonbridge for two hours last night.

“Following investigations by a SGN engineer we started returning train services to normal at around 7:15pm.”

A spokesperson for the gas company said: “We attended reports of a smell of gas at Sevenoaks Tunnel last night, after train drivers did the right thing by calling the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 due to safety concerns.

“Our engineers arrived on site quickly and carried out extensive safety checks.

“No traces of gas were found and there is no gas leak in the tunnel. Our engineers left site around 10pm last night”