25.02.20
Bexleyheath line re-opens following £6.6m improvement work
After four landslips in the last decade, the 9-day closure involved 200 engineers and around the clock work at 17 sits along the railway between Kidbrooke and Barnehurst.
The line was closed over half term, in which time 2,500 tones of mud and trees were removed by engineers so they could reduce the steepness of the cutting slopes, which are prone to landslips during long periods of wet weather.
8,000 tones of material, such as gravel and concrete and built retaining walls have been used, stretching 650 metres along both sides of the cutting. The walls are made from steel beams, driven into the ground and then finished with concrete blocks to stop any future landslips from reaching the tracks.
Other work carried out included track maintenance to improve reliability and provide smoother rides from Blackheath Junction to Falconwood station. Refurbishment of Perry Street Fork Junction, where the Bexleyheath line meets the Greenwich line, to prevent faults and reduce delays and signalling and power supply resilience work, including the replacement of electrical equipment to prevent future power and signalling failures.
Network Rail route director for Kent, Fiona Taylor said: “I’d like to say thank you to the passengers who have had their journey’s disrupted whilst we carried out these major resilience and improvement works.
“We know there is never a good time to close the railway, so we worked during the February half-term when passenger demand is typically lower. The work we have carried out will significantly improve the reliability and performance of the network, giving passengers the level of service that they deserve.”
Managing Director, Southeastern, David Statham said: “Above all, our passengers on the Bexleyheath line through Barnehurst want a safe and reliable service, and so I’m pleased that this vital work undertaken by Network Rail will protect this stretch of track for the future.”
Image: Network Rail