We successfully handed back the railway between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings, following 9-days of engineering work from Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 October 2022.
The second blockade on the Hastings line, teams continued the work started back in October 2021, completing multiple major projects along the route to keep our passengers moving.
What did we get up to?
Teams worked all hours over the 9-days to deliver significant improvements along the line. By working in an extended blockade teams could complete more work, at multiple sites and hand back the railway sooner. Reducing the overall disruption to our passengers and lineside neighbours.
The main project was installing new track within Wadhurst Tunnel itself. In just over a week, we tore out and replaced 1,232 yards of track, in cramped, difficult conditions. New track means smoother, more reliable journeys for our passengers for years to come.
Teams at Mountfield Tunnel (by Robertsbridge station) replaced sections of worn track bed with new slab track technology. This new slab track has a longer lifespan meaning less emergency work is needed, in addition to helping support the tunnel itself.
The cuttings and embankments at Telham and Frant were strengthened to reduce the risk of landslips, whilst track was renewed at several other key points along the line.
Here’s a video of what we got up to at Wadhurst tunnel:
What’s next?
From Friday 07 to Sunday 16 April 2023, the Hastings line will be closed between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings as engineers deliver the final major improvements to the railway.
We’ll be working over a concentrated period of nine consecutive days to reduce disruption to passengers, whilst fast-tracking the reliability and safety benefits.
More information will be released closer to the time.
Wadhurst Cutting October Works Summary
Over seven days in October 2021, Network Rail engineers stabilised the 170-year-old Wadhurst Cutting, which had suffered from several recent landslips. Over 5,400 soil nails were installed, with 15,000 m2 of vegetation removed to protect the railway from the effects of extreme weather. Heavy rainfall combined with large areas of vegetation is not a good mix as it can potentially lead to disruptive landslips.
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