Passengers warned ahead of nine-day rail closures

Railway lines will be blocked between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings, and Bexhill and Hastings

Rail passengers are being urged to plan ahead of upcoming nine-day line closures.

Improvement works are taking place from Saturday until 2 November, blocking Southeastern and Southern lines between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings, and Bexhill and Hastings.

The works include repairing tunnel brickwork, upgrading drainage, replacing almost a kilometre (0.6 miles) or rails and cutting back vegetation.

David Davidson, chief operating officer for Southeastern, said: "We know from previous experience that carrying out work over consecutive days allows us to do more work more efficiently and with less overall impact on our customers."

Replacement buses will run between the stations and Southeastern tickets will be accepted at no extra cost from Hastings and Ore to Ashford International, and on high-speed services between Ashford International and London St Pancras.

Jenny Saunders, Southern's customer service director, said: "There is never a good time to close the railway, but we will have plenty of staff, and buses, to help passengers complete their journey."