Following a landslide near Wadhurst, which has resulted in the closure of the train-line, Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, urges constituents to continuously review their travel arrangements to ensure that they can reach their destination today, over the weekend, and on Monday.
Inspections have been carried out this morning and there is 60 tonnes of material and 8 trees to be moved, representing a significant challenge for Network Rail to clear quickly.
These will need to be moved by a machine which, Ms. Ghani has received assurances, will be onsite later today.
The closure of the line will be until Monday morning at the earliest, and the contingency plans, operated by Network Rail and Southern are as follows:
· A train service will be operating from Hastings to Robertsbridge and Tunbridge Wells to London
· Bus services will be operating between Robertsbridge and Tunbridge Wells
· Passengers from stations south of Tunbridge Wells may park at Tonbridge, Staplehurst or Paddock Wood free of charge, although these stations will be busier than normal
· Passengers travelling from stations south of Robertsbridge may use the high speed line from Hastings – St Pancras
· Southern will be operating additional capacity on the Marshlink line to Ashford International, helping passengers use this as an alternative route from Hastings to London.
· Tickets will be accepted on the tube in order for passengers to complete their journeys.
Nus Ghani, MP for Wealden, said:
“I am grateful to Network Rail for their efforts to clear the track, and I continue to offer them any support that they require to get this part of Wealden Constituency moving again
“I urge all my constituents to use available channels, such as www.southeasternrailway.co.uk and the National Rail Enquiries Website, as so to keep up to date with changes to their travel arrangements.
“It is also important for constituents affected from 13-15th of March to access the double delay repay compensation available to ticket-holders.”
