To help keep the railway between Folkestone and Dover reliable, large rocks have been installed at Folkestone Warren beach.

Around 18 tonnes of rock armour was placed in front of the sea wall to reinforce the defences and allow the nearby footpath to be repaired.

Additionally, the drainage systems have been repaired to prevent further water buildup. The previous drainage system had slipped due to the cliff being impacted by sea water erosion.

They have installed 50 sheet piles behind the seawall to protect the drainage system from any further landslips.

The work has not affected passenger services, but did cause sections of the beach to be closed so that the rocks could be manoeuvred into place.

Most of the walkway has been repaired, but some sections still need work, which is expected to be completed by July 2026.

“There’s a long history of landslips at Folkestone Warren, with ongoing movement for many years. There are times when that movement is greater and other times when it’s stable. The rock armour we have been installing since January provides a huge weight that stops the ground moving underneath the railway, protecting it for many years to come.

“We have also installed monitoring equipment that collects and shares real time data to alert us of further minor or significant movement. This allows us to caution or stop trains if movement is detected. More monitoring instrumentation went into the ground over the winter 2024 in all areas of the Warren and on top of the cliff.

“The investigation and enhanced monitoring also help us understand the size and scope of the problem. We can then put in place interim, medium and long-term solutions.

“I want to thank people for their patience while work has been underway on the beach – and I would ask that members of the public please stay clear of the worksite for their own safety. Large machinery can be extremely dangerous, and we want to keep everyone safe.”

Bob Coulson, Infrastructure Director for the South Eastern Railway