Railway to close to tackle landslide embankment

A railway line connecting Kent and Surrey will be closed for over a week in August to stabilise an embankment which previously collapsed in a landslide.

Trains between Redhill and Tonbridge will not run from 16-25 August to carry out repair works to the Bough Beech embankment which collapsed on 29 March 2024, Network Rail say.

A Network Rail spokesperson said the work would address "ongoing concerns" with the embankment following the collapse and previous landslides in the area.

Rail replacement buses will operate on the Southern-operated line during the closure, it added.

A road closure in Caterfield Lane in Edenbridge began in May and will continue until 1 August to allow engineers to install a working platform for works, Network Rail added.

In April 2024, the line remained closed for more than two weeks for works.

New works will see more sheets of steel installed at the embankment, as well more than 200 "soil nails" which are about 6m long and will be drilled into the ground.

Low lying vegetation and some trees will also be removed from the site during works, Network Rail added.

The railway operator said: "When landslips happen, unfortunately so do delays. A train can't swerve to avoid debris on the line in the same way a car can avoid a small obstruction on the road.

"The safety of our passengers, public and colleagues is always our priority and where there are ongoing concerns with an embankment, we will add stronger materials to the slope such as steel rods or soil nails. Work to stabilise the earth can take time."

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