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Rail line between Dover Priory and Folkestone Central closed after damage to sea wall
Network Rail say the railway line between Dover Priory and Folkestone Central in Kent is currently closed due to severe cracks appearing in the sea wall at Dover.
High tides damaged the wall that protects the railway near Dover Harbour - the cracks on the wall were discovered on Christmas Eve.
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Kent rail services closed for weeks after part of sea wall collapses
Rail services between Dover and Folkestone are likely to remain closed for more than a month after part of a sea wall collapsed.
Cracks in the wall were discovered on Christmas Eve - with severe damage caused to the railway line.
Work to repair 250 metres of track is expected to start shortly - but it's not yet known when the line will re-open. Nashreen Issa reports.
Kent rail services closed for weeks after sea wall collapse
Rail services between Dover and Folkestone are likely to remain closed for more than a month after part of a sea wall collapsed due to a high tide.
The cracks were discovered on Christmas Eve. Severe damage has been caused to a number of sections of the track. There are also sink holes two or three metres deep along the length of the wall.
Engineers have been assessing the damage, and work to repair 250 metres of track will start shortly. The sea wall will also need to be rebuilt.
It means a bus replacement service is running on Southeastern Trains between Dover Priory and Folkestone Central. Network Rail say it's not yet clear when the railway will re open.
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Cracks in the sea wall at Dover stop rail services between two key Kent port stations
Network Rail say major work will need to be carried out to repair the track and the sea wall will also need to be rebuilt. Rail engineers are on site carrying out a full assessment of the damage. When this is complete Network Rail say they can provide a more accurate estimate about when the the railway will reopen.
A bus replacement service will run the one stop between Dover Priory and Folkestone Central and will remain so while repairs to the line take place.
Some Southeastern high speed trains will be diverted to run between Ashford International and Ramsgate via Canterbury West.
Passengers travelling between Dover and London will be able to use trains to London Victoria via Canterbury East. In addition, a service will run each day between Dover Priory and Ramsgate calling at all stations - Martin Mill, Deal, Walmer and Sandwich.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We know how important the railway is for people in this area and our orange army is working round the clock to establish what action needs to be taken, though we know the damage to the sea wall supporting the railway is severe."