Yahoo News Where buses will replace trains in Kent this weekend as passengers warned of delays
Passengers have been advised to expect delays this weekend as numerous key railway lines across Kent will shut for works. On Sunday (December 1), buses will replace trains between Canterbury West and Ashford, as well as between Canterbury West, Ramsgate and Margate.
This is due to works taking place between Ashford International and Thanet Parkway via Canterbury West, which will close all lines. Those looking to travel between these stations have been advised that heavy traffic is expected around Canterbury on this day thanks to local road works, as well as the city being busier for the Black Friday weekend.
Southeastern has advised passengers to travel earlier on the routes via Canterbury West as a result, and to allow extra time for journeys. Alongside these works, buses will replace trains all weekend between Orpington and Tonbridge.
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Meanwhile, no Southeastern services will run to or from London Victoria on Sunday, with services diverted via London Canon Street or London Blackfriars all day. Finally, scheduled engineering in the Dartford area on Sunday will also mean that buses replace trains between Slade Green, Sidcup and Dartford on this date.
This will impact a number of Southeastern and Thameslink services and passengers are urged to plan their full journey before travelling. See below for the full details on all of these upcoming works.
Kent engineering works - Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1
Buses to replace trains between Tonbridge and Orpington - all weekend
Engineering works will be taking place at Sevenoaks, as well as between Orpington and Tonbridge, closing all lines. Services will be affected as follows:
Southeastern
Hastings Line: Services between London Charing Cross and Hastings will be retimed and run non stop between London Bridge and Tonbridge, using an alternative route via Redhill.
On Saturday, trains which usually only run between London Charing Cross and Tunbridge Wells will not run.
Grove Park Line: Trains between London Charing Cross and Sevenoaks via Grove Park will only run between London Charing Cross and Orpington.
Paddock Wood line:
On Saturday, one train per hour will run between London Charing Cross and Ramsgate via Maidstone East and Canterbury West. On arrival at Ashford International, a portion of coaches will be attached and detached to run between Ashford International and Dover Priory. Additional trains will run between Tonbridge and Ashford.
On Sunday, trains between London Charing Cross and Dover Priory will be retimed and diverted between London Bridge to run via Maidstone East calling additionally at Otford and Maidstone East. Trains between London Charing Cross and Ramsgate via Canterbury West will not run because of further engineering work near Canterbury West. Additional trains will run between Tonbridge and Ashford.
Maidstone East line:
On Saturday, services which usually run between London Charing Cross and Maidstone East will not run. Passengers are urged to use the diverted London Charing Cross to Ramsgate services which will stop additionally at Swanley, Otford and Maidstone East. Trains between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East will stop additionally at Eynsford and Shoreham.
On Sunday, Trains between London Cannon Street and Ashford International via Maidstone East will stop additionally at Eynsford and Shoreham. These trains will run to/from London Cannon Street because of further engineering work at London Victoria. Additional trains will run between London Charing Cross and Orpington.
Accessible replacement buses will run between:
Orpington and Tonbridge calling at Sevenoaks.
Orpington and Tonbridge calling at all stations.
Thameslink
No trains will run between Bickley and Sevenoaks. Trains that usually run via Sevenoaks will be amended to run to and from Orpington, and will additionally call at Petts Wood. Replacement buses will run between Bromley South and Sevenoaks.
Additionally, before 9.30am on Sunday trains that usually run to and from London Victoria will be amended to run via London Blackfriars instead. Paper tickets will be accepted on London Underground services between Blackfriars and Victoria.
No Southeastern services to or from London Victoria - Sunday only
Engineering works will be taking place at London Victoria, closing all lines on Sunday. Trains will be diverted via London Canon Street or London Blackfriars as a result. The following services will be affected:
Sole Street Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ramsgate/Dover Priory via Chatham will run from London Cannon Street instead, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray/Swanley.
Maidstone East Line: Trains between London Victoria and Ashford International via Maidstone East will run from London Cannon Street, and run non stop between London Bridge and St Mary Cray. These trains will stop additionally at Eynsford and Shoreham because of further engineering work.
Bromley South Line: Trains between London Victoria and Orpington will run from London Blackfriars, calling additionally at Elephant and Castle. Brixton station will be closed all day.
Bexleyheath Line: Trains between London Victoria and Dartford via Bexleyheath will not run.
Ticket Acceptance:
Passengers can use London Underground at no extra cost between Victoria, Brixton, Elephant and Castle, Blackfriars, Charing Cross, Embankment, Cannon Street, London Bridge, Southwark and Waterloo.
Buses to replace trains between Ashford International and Ramsgate via Canterbury West - Sunday only
Engineering works between Ashford International and Thanet Parkway via Canterbury West will close all lines between these stations on this day. Services will be impacted as follows:
Paddock Wood Line: Trains between London Charing Cross and Ramsgate via Ashford International and Canterbury West will not run. Trains between London Charing Cross and Dover Priory via Ashford International will run but are retimed and will be diverted to run via Maidstone East because of further engineering work.
Highspeed via Ashford International: Trains between London St Pancras International and Margate via Canterbury West will only run between London St Pancras International and Ashford International.
Trains between London St Pancras International and Ramsgate via Dover Priory will stop additionally at Thanet Parkway.
Accessible replacement buses will run between:
Ashford International and Canterbury West non stop.
Ashford International and Canterbury West calling at all stations.
Canterbury West and Margate calling at Ramsgate and Broadstairs.
Canterbury West and Ramsgate calling at all stations.
Buses to replace trains between Slade Green, Sidcup and Gravesend - Sunday only
Engineering works are planned in the Dartford area, closing a number of key Southeastern and Thameslink lines throughout the day. The following services will be affected:
Southeastern
Bexleyheath Line: Services between London Victoria and Dartford will not run.
Sidcup Line: Trains between London Charing Cross and Gravesend will not run. Services between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Sidcup will only run between London Charing Cross and Sidcup.
Accessible buses will run between:
Slade Green and Gravesend calling at all stations.
Sidcup and Dartford calling at all stations.
Thameslink
No trains will run between Plumstead and Gravesend. Trains that usually run between Kentish Town and Rainham will run to an amended service between Kentish Town and Plumstead, and between Gravesend and Rainham.
Passengers can use tickets on Southeastern trains between Plumstead and Slade Green, and Southeastern replacement buses between Slade Green and Gravesend.
