Rail passengers across the Southeastern network should brace for disruption throughout the first working week following Easter. From Tuesday, 22 April, to Friday, 25 April, a wave of planned overnight engineering works will see several services cancelled, diverted, or replaced with buses.
The works will affect key commuter routes and are part of ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade infrastructure. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the affected services:
Tuesday, 22 April – Disruptions Begin
- From 11:40am until the end of service, trains between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings will be replaced by accessible buses:
- Tunbridge Wells – Battle (stopping only at Wadhurst)
- Battle – Hastings (serving all stations except Crowhurst)
- Tunbridge Wells – Robertsbridge (serving all stations)
- Battle – Crowhurst (minibus shuttle)
Tuesday to Thursday, 22–24 April – Bromley North Line Affected
- From 11:45pm nightly, Bromley North to Grove Park trains will be suspended.
- Passengers can use London Buses routes 126 and 261 between Bromley North and Grove Park at no extra cost.
Wednesday and Thursday, 23–24 April – Coastal Routes Disrupted
- From 11:50pm until the end of service, buses will replace trains between:
- Sittingbourne and Faversham
- Herne Bay and Ramsgate
Note: Replacement buses will not stop at Teynham. A minibus service will cover the route via Teynham.
- The 11:20pm and 11:50pm services from London St Pancras International to Faversham will also be affected.
- Buses will run from Ebbsfleet International to Faversham (serving all stations except Higham, Newington, and Teynham).
Wednesday to Friday, 23–25 April – Faversham to Dover Priory Changes
- The 10:10am London Victoria to Dover Priory train will run non-stop between Faversham and Dover Priory.
- Replacement buses will operate:
- Faversham – Dover Priory (via Canterbury East only)
- Canterbury East – Dover Priory (stopping at all stations)
- Replacement buses will operate:
- From 12:15am, trains between London Victoria and Orpington via Beckenham Junction will be diverted.
- These trains will stop additionally at Denmark Hill.
- Buses will cover routes between:
- Denmark Hill and Orpington via Herne Hill and Beckenham Junction (excluding Brixton)
- Bromley South and London Victoria (excluding Brixton)
Friday, 25 April – Dartford Line Adjustments
- From 12:50am, buses will replace trains between Slade Green and Dartford.
- After 1am, final services between London and Dartford via Bexleyheath will terminate at Slade Green, connecting with replacement buses to Dartford.
Conclusion: Plan Ahead to Avoid Disruption
Commuters and leisure travellers alike are urged to check schedules in advance and allow extra time for journeys throughout the week. Southeastern has advised all passengers to use their online journey planner and stay updated through station notices and announcements.
While the works may cause short-term inconvenience, they form part of ongoing efforts to improve rail reliability and infrastructure across the network.
