There will be no vehicle access Isle of Grain village in Kent for 29 hours in mid-February because of essential engineering work to renew a railway level crossing.

The A228 Grain Road and the Grain level crossing Isle of Grain village from 00.01 am on Sunday, 15th February 2026, until 5.00 am on Monday, 16th February. This because there has been a significant deterioration in both the road surface and the railway track at the crossing, which has caused an uneven road surface and possible damage to the railway track.The deterioration has resulted in an increased risk of damage to vehicles, discomfort for pedestrians, and a possible risk to rail freight operations.

During the closure, the crossing will be completely rebuilt and more robust railway track installed that is better able to withstand the line’s heavy traffic. At the same time, new underground ducts for signalling cables will be installed in preparation for a future project to upgrade signalling and the level crossing barriers.

Special arrangements

• Public transport: A free accessible minibus service will operate between a special parking area adjacent to the level crossing and High Street in Isle of Grain village. At the level crossing, marshals will escort people safely over the crossing. An Arriva bus service will be available from the other side of the crossing for onward travel.
• Motorists: An escort through the BP Yard will be provided for emergency service workers, NHS on-call workers, mental health staff, and people on dialysis.
• Parking: A limited number of parking spaces will be available on the opposite side of the crossing, but residents’ vehicles must be parked in the designated area between 19:00 and 21:00 on Saturday, 14th February.

The railway to the Isle of Grain is a freight-only line, used for transporting aggregate materials and construction materials for HS2.

“We explored the option of using an existing relief road adjacent to the crossing, which sits on railway land, but unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to put this alternative route in place. Even at low speeds, it would be extremely difficult for larger vehicles to safely navigate. The physical condition of this particular road also means that it’s not a practical or safe option as a temporary diversion.

We also reviewed an alternative access route through the BP oil terminal, however, due to the nature of their operations and the presence of highly flammable aviation fuel, only the emergency services will be able to have escorted access through that site. We ask that the local community plan ahead and make any journeys that need to be made on an alternative day if possible to ensure a smoother and less disrupted journey.”

Bob Coulson, Infrastructure Director for the South Eastern Railway