A railway line will be closed this week while major improvement works are carried out.

The line between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings will be closed until Saturday, April 15, while Network Rail carries out works to improve the reliability of the route by stabilising earthworks and replacing worn track.  

The works are part of an ongoing improvement programme by Network Rail, which says the line was built in the early 1850s and has suffered with reliability problems since it opened, notably around the earthworks – cuttings and embankments – which carry the line through the rolling countryside of Kent and East Sussex. 

During the closure, which came began on April 7, Network Rail will stabilise cuttings and embankments at Wadhurst, Frant and Snape Wood to keep passengers safe from delays caused by landslips.

At Wadhurst and Frant sections of reinforced concrete wall will be built and dangerous vegetation removed to stop trees and soil reaching the tracks. On sections of line near Snape Wood hundreds of 5m long soil nails will be driven into the cutting to keep the slopes stable.

In the Mountsfield tunnel near Robertsbridge 500m of track will be replaced and sections of the track slab rebuilt. The track slab acts as a track bed for the running rails, conductor rail and sleepers in the tunnel, as well as supporting the tunnel structure. The existing track slab was built in the 1970s and needs replaced after 50 years of wear and tear.

Buses will replace trains between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings.

From April 7 to April 15 replacement buses will run between:

  • Tunbridge Wells and Hastings calling at St Leonards Warrior Square only.
  • Tunbridge Wells and Hastings, calling at Wadhurst only.
  • Tunbridge Wells and Battle calling at all stations.
  • Battle and Hastings calling at all stations except Crowhurst.
  • Battle and Crowhurst minibus shuttle.