Edenbridge Embankment line closure between Tonbridge and Redhill

Line was closed between Tonbridge and Redhill from Saturday 16 August to Monday 25 August 2025

What work took place?

We renewed 13 miles of high voltage power cables, protected the track from landslips, replaced worn-out rails near Edenbridge and undertook maintenance works to improve the resilience of railway structures and equipment.

We stabilised the Edenbridge embankment using a combination of sheet piling. These are sheets of steel which can be welded or interlocked together. They’re driven into the ground using an excavator with a vibrating attachment. We undertook soil nailing, essentially 226 large nails with a head about 6m long which were drilled into the embankment.

When did the work take place?

We closed the line for 10 days between Tonbridge and Redhill from Saturday 16 August to Monday 25 August 2025 to complete most of the works.

The stabilisation works at Edenbridge began in April 2025 and are expected to be completed by October 2025.

Why was the work needed?

The safety of our passengers, public and colleagues is always our priority and where there are ongoing concerns with an embankment, we will add stronger materials to the slope such as steel rods or soil nails. Work to stabilise the earth can take time.

A landslip, also known as a landslide, on the railway is when soil, rocks and earth fall onto and block the track. They can occur anywhere, moving either slowly or quickly. When they impact on railways, they can cause a lot of disruption.

When landslips happen, unfortunately so do delays. A train can’t swerve to avoid debris on the line in the same way a car can avoid a small obstruction on the road.

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