ALERT: Major Rail Disruptions in Kent and South-East London This Weekend

Significant engineering works mean no trains via Lewisham all weekend, with bus replacements operating across multiple routes on Saturday and Sunday.

Network Rail engineers are undertaking essential maintenance across Kent and South-East London on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March, resulting in widespread service disruptions across the region. Passengers should expect substantial changes to their usual journeys and are urged to plan ahead before travelling.

On both Saturday and Sunday, there will be no Southeastern services running via Lewisham. Accessible replacement buses will operate between New Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath throughout the weekend, though these journeys may take considerably longer than normal train services. Passengers’ existing tickets will be accepted on these replacement buses at no extra cost.

On Sunday 22 March, additional disruptions will affect further routes. Bus replacements will operate via Beckenham Junction, and services between Paddock Wood and Ashford International will also be replaced by buses. Engineering work is taking place between Rochester and Rainham, which will close lines on the Sole Street Line, Highspeed via Gravesend, Sheerness Line and Sidcup Line. Stations at Chatham and Gillingham will be closed and only served by accessible replacement buses.

The engineering works are part of Network Rail’s ongoing investment programme to maintain and improve the UK’s rail infrastructure. Engineers will carry out track maintenance, repair steelwork, upgrade signalling equipment and undertake drainage improvements across the affected lines. Passengers should check the Southeastern journey planner or the National Rail Enquiries website before travelling to plan their alternative routes.