Line closure between Ashford and Borough Green

Our engineers will deliver a major package of essential upgrades between Ashford and Borough Green for a nine-day railway closure from Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May 2026

What work is taking place?

During the nine-day closure, engineers will complete several significant projects:  

• We are working on two rock cuttings either side of Maidstone East station. At Maidstone East Grammar School rock cutting and embankment, the London side of Maidstone, we will renew more than 1,300 yards of the cutting.  This includes installing new rock netting and bolting to stabilise the slopes and reduce the risk of rockfalls. At the country end of the Wheeler Street tunnel, we are also undertaking stabilisation works of the rock cutting and embankment.  
• At the Wheeler Street tunnel, we will overhaul drainage, up to and through, the 420 metres of the tunnel, part of over three miles of overall drainage improvements through Maidstone East station. Effective drainage is critical to protecting signals, track and other infrastructure from water damage. This section of line is historically prone to landslips, including one in May 2024 just outside the tunnel.  
• New switches and crossings will be installed at Maidstone East Bay platform 3. Switches and crossings allow trains to change track and are vital for running a network.   
• Renewing 420 yards of ballast, sleepers and track at Harrietsham and laying two thousand yards of new rail between Lenham and Charing for smoother journeys.   
• At Lenham we will also install 550 metres of new drainage to improve longterm resilience.  

To make the most of the extended access, we will also deliver a series of complementary works, including:  

• Bridges examined at Bearsted, Wheeler Street Tunnel, Hollingbourne, Harrietsham, Lenham, Charing and Ashford.  
• Maintenance of over four miles of track between Borough Green and West Malling.  
• Earthworks examinations on tunnels and cuttings across the route.  
• Replacing the level crossing at Ryarsh Lane near West Malling.   

When is the work taking place?

From Saturday 23 May to Sunday 31 May 2026.   

How will this work affect me? 

During the closure, accessible rail replacement buses will operate throughout the route, and full-service information will be published in advance. 

Passengers are advised to check before travelling and allow extra time for their journeys.  

Why is the work needed?

The work will improve the long-term reliability and resilience of key infrastructure along the line, helping to prevent disruptive failures and unplanned closures in the years ahead.  

The Ashford–Maidstone East corridor has seen several incidents of weather related ground movement in recent years. Many rock cuttings on this part of the network are more than 150 years old, and do not provide the same resilience as modern engineered slopes.   

While a nine-day closure is significant, completing these works in a single block avoids repeated weekend disruption and ensures the route remains safe and reliable into the future. 

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.