Rail lines to close for major engineering works

A £10m investment is being made at Dartford Junction

Rail passengers are being warned of major engineering works in the Dartford area, which will see some rail lines closed for nine consecutive days.

Network Rail said an investment of £10m is being made at Dartford Junction, one of the busiest points of the railway in Kent, to improve reliability and punctuality.

The closure is scheduled for the February 2026 school half-term, beginning on Saturday, 14 February.

Network Rail said: "The £10m investment in new track at Dartford will help give the tens of thousands of passengers travelling over the junction each day more punctual journeys."

There will also be preparation and follow-up work over three weekends

Buses will replace trains between Gravesend, Dartford, Slade Green, Barnehurst and Crayford 14-22 February, Network Rail said.

There will also be preparation work on 8 and 9 February, plus follow-up work on 1 March and 5 April.

It said this approach allows it to consolidate activity, as opposed to up 30 weekends of disruption using weekend only access.

The work will include the renewal of switches and points, new tracks and power supply installations, and platform adjustment at Dartford.

Southeastern and Thameslink services will be affected, with all routes through Dartford subject to change.

'A vital investment'

Southeastern warned there would be temporary reductions in peak-time services, particularly affecting services on the Hayes and Sidcup lines, with minor impacts on the Bexleyheath, Greenwich, and North Kent lines.

However, the operator said high speed services to London via Gravesend would be unaffected.

Thameslink services that usually run between Rainham and Luton will terminate and start from Gravesend once an hour.

David Davidson, chief operating officer for Southeastern, said: "The work at Dartford Junction, where 650 trains pass every day, is a vital investment in the long-term resilience and efficiency.

"We understand this closure will significantly impact travel, and we're working hard to ensure passengers are fully informed about its impact and the alternative travel arrangements available."

Journey planners will be updated mid-November to reflect services that will be running.