Rail passengers in south east London and Kent are being urged to plan ahead for a major upgrade at Dartford Junction during next year’s February half term.

From Saturday 14 February to Sunday 22 February, accessible buses will replace Southeastern and Thameslink services between Gravesend and Dartford towards Crayford, Barnehurst, and Slade Green. Services into London along the Sidcup, Bexleyheath, and Woolwich routes will continue as normal. Passengers are advised to allow extra time for journeys, particularly during peak hours, as queues for replacement buses are expected. Full travel advice, including bus timetables and ticketing details, will be published in due course.

The £10 million upgrade at Dartford Junction is aimed at improving reliability and performance on one of Kent’s busiest railway junctions. The work includes the renewal of 10 switches and crossings (points) and the installation of approximately 400 yards of new rail between Slade Green and Dartford. Station improvements, including new tactile paving at Dartford, will also be delivered during the closure to enhance accessibility.

Preparation and follow-up work will take place outside the main nine-day closure, with preliminary works on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 February, and additional follow-up work scheduled for Sunday 1 March and Sunday 5 April.

David Davidson, Chief Operating Officer for South Eastern Railway, said: “The work at Dartford Junction, where 650 trains pass every day, is a vital investment in the long-term resilience and efficiency of one of the busiest junctions of our network. We’ve deliberately chosen the half term to minimise disruption, when schools are on holiday and fewer people are commuting. To make the most of the time available, we’ll also carry out additional improvement work to deliver even more benefits for passengers, including installing tactile paving at Dartford station. We understand this will have a significant impact and we’re working hard to ensure passengers are fully informed about the closure so that they can make their alternative travel arrangements.”

• During the work, no Southeastern or Thameslink services will operate between Slade Green, Barnehurst, Crayford and Gravesend via Dartford. Replacement buses will be in operation at the stations listed above as well as Northfleet, Swanscombe. Greenhithe and Stone Crossing.

• No Thameslink services will operate between Plumstead and Gravesend. An hourly Thameslink shuttle train service will run between Gravesend and Rainham.

• All Southeastern Metro routes that pass through Dartford will be subject to change.

• Highspeed services to and from St Pancras via Gravesend will continue to operate as normal.

Image: Network Rail