Southeastern trains reduced for maintenance trial

Services on the route usually run at half-hourly intervals

Trains on a Kent railway route will be reduced from today as Network Rail and Southeastern test a daylight maintenance trial.

Services on the Medway Valley line between Strood and Tonbridge/Paddock Wood via Maidstone will operate once an hour during the off-peak, between 09:00 BST and 15:00.

Services on the route usually run at half-hourly intervals. Peak time services are unaffected.

Southeastern said the route was chosen to strike the right balance between ensuring they gather valuable insights on the benefits of the trials while minimising the impact on customers.

The train company said most maintenance takes place late at night after trains have stopped running, but work and visual inspections "take longer in the dark".

"Moving some of this work to daylight hours will be safer, help improve efficiency and support the reliability of customer journeys," said a Southeastern spokesperson.

The train company said the hourly service will be able to accommodate all the customers that usually travel during this less busy part of the day.

The changes will only take place on a weekday for 15 days, until 19 July.

Some trains will be extended to or start from Tonbridge instead of Paddock Wood and some passengers will be able to travel on cheaper off-peak tickets or use their railcards on earlier trains.

A similar trial will take place on the route between Ashford International and Maidstone East from 22 July for 15 days.

Southeastern added "they appreciate passengers understanding while these works are carried out" and the trials will be "kept under review" and "an assessment on next steps will take place" once the trials are completed.