The Sidcup, Grove Park and Bromley North lines through Hither Green will close for nine days from Saturday 25th July 2020 to Sunday 2nd August 2020.

The closure is due to Network Rail completing important signalling upgrades to improve reliability for passengers in South London.

Buses will replace trains between Lewisham, Sidcup and Orpington, while trains on other routes will be retimed or diverted.

Passengers are being advised to use alternative train services if at all possible over the nine days. Passengers who must travel on the line must plan ahead.

Passengers must also travel outside of peak times and must allow more time to travel as well as following government travel advice.

Fiona Taylor, route director, Kent said: “We know this is a tough ask of passengers who are already managing changes to their journeys and we haven’t taken the decision to close the lines lightly.

“The current signalling system, which controls the movement of trains on the lines through Hither Green, has been in place since the 1970s. It’s old, unreliable, and becoming more difficult to source spare parts and maintain.

“If we don’t upgrade now, it could lead to major delays and crowding for Southeastern passengers in future. That’s a risk we weren’t prepared to take.

“We are extremely grateful to people for their patience in these difficult times. When this vital upgrade is complete, it will provide a more reliable and resilient railway for passengers in South East London for decades to come.”

Southeastern train services director, Scott Brightwell said: “The equipment in this area is old and unreliable with some dating from the 1970’s; installing a modern signalling system is essential for improving journeys for our passengers. To aid those planning journeys throughout the works, we are providing a detailed station by station travel advice tool.

“We strongly advise customers to check this in advance as journeys on some routes are replaced with buses. Where buses replace trains, we expect journey times to be extended with queuing systems at busier times of day.“

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