Reminder: South East London and Kent passengers urged to plan ahead for late May Bank Holiday improvement works

Network Rail have issued the following press release about engineering work affecting train services in South East London and Kent over thee Late May Bank Holiday weekend:

Network Rail is advising anyone that is intending to use the train between 29 May and 1 June to please check before you travel as they carry out rail improvement projects across Kent and South East London.

Engineers will be undertaking a number of projects over the holidays, including the installation of a replacement deck for the River Stour bridge. This work continues through to the end of Tuesday 1 June and there will be a replacement bus service between Ashford International and Canterbury West.

Preparations for the construction of the new Thanet Parkway station are also getting underway, as well as track work at Charlton Junction in South East London and between Strood and Paddock Wood.

The improvement work will bring long term benefits for passengers through increased reliability and more comfortable journeys, and in the case of Thanet Parkway, support better local connectivity with the addition of a new station on the network.

Network Rail Kent route director Fiona Taylor said: “We’re pleased to see passengers gradually returning to our railway and our work to maintain and improve it for them continues non-stop.

“We know that people will be wanting to travel around Kent this bank holiday now the country is slowly unlocking and that’s why we’re advertising these works as much as we can, so people can plan ahead. Please do check before you travel and remember hands, face and space.”

Passengers looking to travel by train over the Late May Bank Holiday and into 1 June are urged to plan their journeys in advance and travel at less busy times where possible.

There will be a replacement bus between Strood and Maidstone West. There will also be a replacement bus between Ashford and Canterbury West from Saturday until Tuesday and on the Sunday and Monday between Canterbury West and Margate. On Sunday 30 May there is a replacement bus on the Woolwich line from Lewisham to Plumstead.

Scott Brightwell, Train Services Director at Southeastern, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming more people back on to our trains now that lockdown restrictions have eased further and we are doing all we can to make sure they travel with confidence.

“I want to highlight that some of the work taking place over the bank holiday between Ashford and Canterbury West continues through to the weekday of Tuesday 1 June. There will be replacement buses where we can’t run trains, which shouldn’t add too much time to your journey. As always please check journey planners for the latest information.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink, said: “On Sunday 30^th and Monday 31^st, Thameslink services to and from Rainham will be diverted via Bexleyheath, with replacement buses serving stations on the Woolwich line, so please check before you travel and allow extra time. You can rest assured we’re working round the clock to keep trains and stations clean and safe.”

Passengers should also follow the latest Coronavirus guidance and make space, wash hands and wear a mask.