Network Rail is reminding passengers that work to Dartford Junction will begin in ten days.

The work takes place during the February half-term to cause as little disruption as possible; however, those travelling in South East London and Kent will be impacted.

Ahead of the nine-day closure, there will be a shorter closure on the 7th and 8th February to allow for preparation work.

Buses will replace both Thameslink and Southeastern services between the 14th and 22nd February; although services will run as normal into London along the Sidcup, Bexleyheath and Woolwich routes.

The work will improve the junction’s reliability, providing better journeys, and they will carry out station improvements at the same time to help reduce the requirement for another closure.

Passengers should allow extra time, expect queues during busy periods and check before they travel.

“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 want to thank customers for their patience while we carry out this essential upgrade.

“We’ve deliberately chosen the half-term to minimise disruption as schools are on holiday and fewer people are commuting. We will be making the most of the time available when trains are not running to carry out station refurbishments, including installing tactile paving at Dartford station to improve accessibility and safety.

“We understand that this will be disruptive and we’re working hard to ensure passengers are fully informed about the closure so that they can make their alternative travel arrangements. By doing the work over the February half-term, we can fit everything we need to do into one nine-day closure. The alternative would be up to 30 weekends, which would be much more disruptive over a longer period.”

David Davidson, chief operating officer for the South Eastern Railway