Why are dry soil conditions slowing down my journeys?
The unprecedented hot and dry weather this summer has affected rail networks across the south east of England. During the summer, more than half of England entered drought conditions, in what was the most memorable weather event in modern British history.
Temperatures reached 35°C in May, June, July and August this year for the first time on record. These extraordinary temperatures have dried out some areas of the clay soil that our railway is built on, causing it to shrink. These dry soil conditions can lead to movements of the track which require speed reductions for a smooth and safe journey.
Even slight changes in track position can affect how our trains run. You might hear these conditions being called 'soil moisture deficit'. On our network, the routes most affected are the Hastings line; Ashford via Tonbridge line and services through Faversham and the Medway Towns to/from Victoria or via Gravesend.
Our priority is to keep all our customers travelling safely. Our teams are closely monitoring these areas and, while work is carried out, some trains are running at reduced speeds to maintain safe and reliable journeys. We are constantly monitoring conditions along our routes and as ground conditions improve, and the necessary work is completed, trains will be able to return to normal speeds again.
We understand the frustration when your trains travel slower than we would all like, and thank you for bearing with us while we work hard on stabilising the ground. We will do everything we can to provide you with the most accurate, up to date information about your train service. Our app and website journey planners show the latest status for each train, and you can also contact us on social media on X, Bluesky or WhatsApp.
How are South Eastern Railway fixing this?
We are closely monitoring all affected areas and we have a full plan of works in place to repair the sites and gradually remove train speed restrictions.
Engineering teams have an ongoing, extensive programme of track monitoring, track-packing (known as 'tamping') and other targeted repairs under way across the route. Tamping uses specialist machinery to lift the track slightly and re-pack the stone bed underneath it, putting it back into its correct position.
A second stage of work takes place once autumn moisture returns to the track. Once that happens then the tamping work lasts much longer. We tend to do both stages of these works overnight when no trains are running. Once the necessary work is completed, trains will be able to return to normal speeds again.
From 11 October our Autumn timetable begins. This timetable helps with the effects of the annual leaf fall challenge and also takes into account the speed restrictions due to dry soil conditions.
Our Autumn timetable includes a small number of changes to some services, including trains operating at revised times and with different calling patterns.
Making these changes can help prevent trains arriving late at key junctions and allows you to better plan your journey. We will continue to monitor performance throughout the Autumn period and if necessary, we may further amend the timetable to give you certainty with your journey. We will not do this without adequate notice.
Details about these changes, and how they may affect you, can be found on our timetables page.
What preparations have you put in place for this challenge?
We expected these dry soil conditions, but due to this year’s unprecedented drought they have affected our railway much earlier and for longer than ever before.
Our engineering teams prepare by monitoring moisture levels and track movement and focus maintenance on the routes that affect the most passengers on our busiest lines.
We include work on dry soil conditions in our hot weather preparation. This year we dropped 35 - 40,000 tonnes of additional ballast whilst tamping and managed trees and bushes that strip the soil of moisture. This work continues year-round to ensure the track remains at its best quality.
Before and during the summer, engineers:
- Monitor high risk locations across the route
- Carry out enhanced track and earthwork inspections
- Use train-borne monitoring data to identify changes in track condition
- Undertake regular cab rides to assess ride quality and identify emerging issues
- Review reports from train drivers
- Plan maintenance activity at vulnerable locations before conditions deteriorate
- Manage vegetation where appropriate to reduce excessive moisture loss from embankments.
Keeping you moving
Long hot summers can create challenges for our railway. Through careful monitoring, targeted maintenance and timely intervention, we are working to minimise disruption and keep you moving safely and reliably.
Ashford International to London St Pancras
