Paddock Wood to Maidstone West line closure

Line closure Paddock Wood to Maidstone West

The line between Paddock Wood and Maidstone West is closing for four days from Thursday 31 October to Sunday 3 November (inclusive) so that Network Rail engineers can carry out landslip prevention work between Wateringbury and East Farleigh stations.

Download PDF map of Paddock Wood to Maidstone West line closure

Service changes

Services between Paddock Wood and Strood will start and end at Maidstone West.

There will be no trains at the following stations:

• East Farleigh
• Wateringbury
• Yalding
• Beltring

The line between Tonbridge, Paddock Wood and Ashford International is also closing on Sunday 3 November for routine maintenance work.

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Alternative travel

Replacement bus

An accessible bus replacement service will run from Paddock Wood to Maidstone West calling at all stations. There will also be a replacement bus service between Tonbridge, Paddock Wood and Maidstone West calling at all stations in-between on Sunday 3 November.

On Sunday 3 November a replacement bus service will run between Tonbridge and Headcorn calling at all stations, and between Headcorn and Ashford International calling at all stations.

Customers who use the stations that are closing on the Medway Valley line can travel to Maidstone West for trains to Strood or to Paddock Wood for trains to Sevenoaks, Ashford International and London.

Are the replacement buses accessible?

• All of our replacement buses can be used by customers who have accessibility needs.
• If you require assistance for your journey during the closure please call our assisted travel team on 08007 834 524. You can find out more about booking assisted travel with us here.
• You can also find out more details about accessibility on the replacement bus services here.

Are the replacement bus stops close to the stations?

Most of the replacement bus stops are very close to the station entrances but there is a short walk from Wateringbury station. You can download the PDF replacement bus stop maps below:

• Tonbridge (Sunday service only)
• Paddock Wood
• Beltring
• Yalding
• Wateringbury
• East Farleigh
• Maidstone West

Is there an accessible toilet between Paddock Wood and Maidstone West station?

Accessible toilet facilities are available at Paddock Wood and Maidstone West. There is also an accessible toilet at Tonbridge station.

Where can I find help at the stations if needed?

Southeastern and agency support staff will be at Paddock Wood and Maidstone West stations, and on the replacement buses to help customers if needed. If no staff are available, you can use the Help Points on the station platforms.

Parking

Customers who have parking season tickets for the closed stations on the Medway Valley line can use an alternative car park.

Paddock Wood has 481 car parking spaces

Maidstone West has 54

What work is being done?

Landslip prevention work is being carried out between Wateringbury and East Farleigh stations.

A 200m sheet pile wall will be constructed along the line near the village of Teston, approximately 1km from East Farleigh station. The wall will stop soil and debris from reaching the track in the event of a landslip caused by flooding or heavy rain.

To make the best use of the time when the line is closed, East Farleigh station and the signal box, both built in 1844, will be repainted and refurbished.

Worn rail will be replaced with brand new rails at Maidstone West.

You can read the press release on the Network Rail website.