Rail services to be suspended for bridge repairs

Southeastern said Network Rail engineers would be carrying out essential safety repairs to Kingsferry Bridge

Rail services on and off the Isle of Sheppey will be suspended at the weekend for repairs to be carried out to the bridge connecting the island to mainland Kent.

Buses will replace trains between Sheerness-on-Sea and Sittingbourne on Saturday and Sunday for the work on Kingsferry Bridge, Southeastern said.

It is the first of a series of closures the rail operator said had become essential.

The link will also be closed to road and rail between 29 June and 6 July, on 13 and 14 July, and from 20 July to 27 July.

The bridge is supported by 40 steel ropes which lift it to allow ships to pass.

Southeastern said routine inspections had shown some of the ropes, last replaced in 1995, had deteriorated and needed replacing.

The operator said the bus service would not be calling at Swale station due to its low passenger numbers.

People travelling to and from Sheppey by both train and car will find their journeys taking longer during the work

Paul Prentice from Network Rail said: "What we’d ask people to do is please check before they travel, whether they’re driving or taking a train go to the Southeastern website for more details.

"Your journey will take longer and we want people to be prepared in advance so that their journeys can be as smooth as possible.”