You may be aware from updates already provided by our colleagues at Network Rail and Southeastern, major engineering work will take place in the Dartford area next month. This message includes details of how this work will impact the Thameslink services in the area.
On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February, and then for nine days between Saturday 14 and Sunday 22 February, there will be no trains running through Dartford.
The line is closing so that rail engineers can complete essential track improvements at Dartford Junction, which will help to deliver better journeys by improving the reliability and performance of the busiest railway junction in Kent. The upgrade includes the renewal of 10 switches and crossings, which allow trains to change tracks and around 400 yards of new rail will be laid between Slade Green and Dartford. The work has been timed to take place when most schools in the area are on half-term break.
While the engineering work is taking place, on all the affected dates there will be no Thameslink trains between Plumstead and Gravesend. This means that Thameslink services that normally run between Luton/Kentish Town and Rainham will be revised to run between Luton/Kentish Town and Plumstead.
Southeastern trains will continue to operate beyond Plumstead towards Slade Green and Barnehurst. From there, Southeastern replacement buses will be in operation to provide connections through to Dartford and along to stations to Gravesend, via Stone Crossing and Greenhithe. Ticket acceptance is in place to allow Thameslink customers to use these Southeastern trains and replacement buses.
An hourly Thameslink train shuttle service will run between Gravesend and Rainham throughout the day. At peak times Southeastern will also run a shuttle train service between Gravesend and Rainham to provide a more frequent service along this section at the busiest times. In addition, at peak times in the peak direction (to London in the morning, from London in the evening) Southeastern will also stop some of their highspeed services at Higham. This is to provide rush hour direct trains to or from London. However, please note that Thameslink tickets are not valid on this route, and so customers who choose to use that option will need to purchase tickets that are valid on Southeastern highspeed services.
This engineering work also impacts all Southeastern services in the Dartford area.
More details about the changes to all train services can be found on the Southeastern website here.
We’ve been working with Southeastern and Network Rail on an integrated customers information campaign since the autumn, which has included information at stations and leafleting sessions at key locations in the affected area. Journey planners such as on the national rail website are fully up-to-date with all the changes, and there are also details on the Thameslink planned works calendar.
Customers are encouraged to plan ahead and check before they travel, and in the coming weeks there will be further activities to promote this message.