Dartford Junction line closure

In February 2026, we will carry out a critical upgrade at Dartford Junction, one of the busiest rail junctions in Kent and the country.

The £10 million investment in new track at Dartford will help give the tens of thousands of passengers travelling over the junction each day more punctual journeys.

Project timeline

We’ll deliver a major programme of works between:

• Saturday 14 February and Sunday 22 February 2026 – 9-day closure
• Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February – preparation work
• Sunday 1 March and Sunday 5 April – follow-up work.

This approach allows us to consolidate activity into one 9-day closure and three weekends, as opposed to 30 weekends of disruption using weekend only access.

What work is taking place?

The works include:

• Replacement of 10 switches and crossings – the movable sections of track that allow trains to change direction – with brand new track and equipment to improve reliability at one of the busiest rail junctions in England.
• Installation of 400 yards of new rail, and conductor rails which power trains, between Slade Green and Dartford to improve resilience and reliability.
• Platform adjustment work at Dartford station will reduce the stepping distance between platforms and trains, improving safety and passenger experience
• The lifts at Dartford will undergo extensive maintenance to boost reliability.
• At Dartford, Stone Crossing, Greenhithe, Swanscombe and Northfleet we’ll use the time when passengers are away to deep clean stations, repaint and complete essential maintenance to give passengers brighter and better journeys.

How will this work affect me?

When work is taking place, no South Eastern Railway or Thameslink services will operate between Slade Green, Barnehurst, Crayford, and Gravesend via Dartford. Replacement bus services will be provided.

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

All South Eastern Railway Metro routes continue as normal into London via Sidcup, Bexleyheath and Woolwich lines but times will change. There will be extra services on the Bexleyheath line.

High Speed services to and from St Pancras via Gravesend will continue to operate, but please be aware that standard tickets will not be accepted on High Speed as the service is already at capacity.

Rail replacement bus service

For the main 9-day closure from Saturday 14 to Sunday 22 February 2026, an enhanced, high-frequency bus service will replace trains as detailed below.

To support the high frequency service needed to move passengers, we’ve had to change our usual bus stops for the 9-days. Maps are included below and wayfinding signage guide passengers during the week of the closure.

During the weekend of Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February, and on Sunday 1 March and Sunday 5 April, a standard bus replacement operation will run and the usual bus replacement stops will be used.

The following stations are interchanges where you can connect here with trains or replacement buses:

Please note that replacement vehicles may be busier than usual and you should allow extra time for your journey.

The replacement bus stops are as close to the station entrances as possible. You can check the location of all the replacement bus stops on the download maps that are available above.

More detailed information including revised train, replacement bus times and station bus stops are also available in journey planners on the Southeastern and Thameslink’s websites and at National Rail.

Check before you travel

Passenger assistance

If you require assistance for your journey during the closure, please call the Southeastern assisted travel team on 08007 834 524. Find out more about booking assisted travel with Southeastern.

For Thameslink services, please call 0800 058 2844 or Textphone 0800 138 1018 for their assisted travel helpline open 24 hours a day.

FAQs

Passenger survey

If you are affected and would like to give feedback, please take 2 minutes to take our short survey here.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please visit our contact us page or telephone our 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 quoting Dartford Junction