Dartford Junction line closure

In February 2026, we carried 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 delivered a major programme of works between Saturday 14 February and Sunday 22 February 2026, and supporting weekends. The last weekend of work took place on Sunday 5 April.

By consolidating activity into one 9-day closure and three weekends, we minimised disruption otherwise the work would have taken 30 weekends of disruption using weekend only access.

What we delivered

This line closure allowed engineers to deliver vital upgrades to improve safety, reliability and resilience across the route. The £10 million investment will help give the tens of thousands of passengers travelling over the junction each day, more punctual journeys. The works included:

• Replacing 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.
• Installing 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 has reduced the stepping distance between platforms and trains, improving safety and passenger experience
• The lifts at Dartford underwent extensive maintenance to boost reliability.
• At Dartford, Stone Crossing, Greenhithe, Swanscombe and Northfleet we used the time when passengers were away to deep clean stations, repaint and complete essential maintenance to give passengers brighter and better journeys.

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