Line closure through Dartford over the February half-term 2026
We’re investing £10 million to upgrade the track through Dartford, which means the line will be closed from Saturday 14 February to Sunday 22 February (inclusive). This essential work will help us to deliver better journeys by improving reliability and reducing delays.
Train services during the closure
Below is a summary of the train service during the line closure. Click the button to check train times using our journey planner.
- No Southeastern or Thameslink trains will run between Slade Green, Barnehurst, Crayford, and Gravesend via Dartford during this period.
- Accessible replacement buses will serve these stations, as well as Northfleet, Swanscombe, Greenhithe, and Stone Crossing, ensuring you can still complete your journey.
Check train times in our journey planner
Metro routes – Sidcup, Bexleyheath and Woolwich lines
Metro routes towards London mainline stations will be open as usual, with extra services on the Bexleyheath line to help keep you moving.
Monday 16 to Friday 20 February
Towards Woolwich Arsenal from Slade Green – 8 trains per hour (6 Southeastern & 2 Thameslink) at peak times and 6 trains per hour (4 Southeastern & 2 Thameslink) off-peak
Towards Bexleyheath from Barnehurst – 6 trains per hour
Towards Sidcup from Crayford – 6 trains per hour at peak times and 4 trains per hour off-peak
On Saturday 14 & 21 and Sunday 15 & 22 February:
Towards Woolwich Arsenal from Slade Green – 6 trains per hour on Saturdays (4 Southeastern & 2 Thameslink) and 3 trains per hour (2 Southeastern & 1 Thameslink) on Sundays
Towards Bexleyheath from Barnehurst – 6 trains per hour on Saturdays and 4 trains per hour on Sundays
Towards Sidcup from Crayford – 4 trains per hour on Saturdays and 2 trains per hour on Sundays
Thameslink
No Thameslink services will run between Plumstead and Gravesend. An hourly Thameslink shuttle service will operate between Gravesend and Rainham.
Follow-up weekend closures
While the main work on the junction is scheduled to be carried out during the nine-day closure between 14 and 22 February, there will be additional closures on the weekends below:
- Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February
- Sunday 1 March and Sunday 5 April
Find out more about all of the planned engineering work and replacement bus services during these weekends. Use the calendar to check your dates of travel.
What work is taking place?
Infrastructure
The line is closing so that rail engineers can complete essential track improvements at Dartford Junction, which will help to deliver better journeys by improving the reliability and performance of the busiest railway junction in Kent.
The upgrade includes the renewal of 10 switches and crossings (also known as points), which allow trains to change tracks, and around 400 yards of new rail will be laid between Slade Green and Dartford.
Stations
Dartford
- Platform adjustments to reduce the stepping distance between the platforms and the trains to help improve safety for customers
- New tactile paving to improve accessibility
- Repainting work across the station including stairwells and canopies
Stone Crossing
- Replacement of damaged fencing
- Repainting work across the station
Greenhithe
- Repainting work across the station
- Refurbishment of the accessible toilet on Platform 2
- Replacement of the window film on the main building to increase natural light
Swanscombe
- Repainting work across the station
- Deep clean of shelters and concrete panels behind the shelters
Northfleet
- Repainting work across the station
- Installation of new LED lighting under the stairwell canopy on Platform 1
- Addition of two new customer information screens on Platform 1 and 2 to aid journey planning
Travel and Ticketing Advice
If this engineering work will affect your journey you may wish to review the available ticket options – on our tickets explained page – between now and then to ensure you have selected an option which suits your plans and journey requirements.
Compensation for ticket holders, including season tickets, will continue to be available under the industry standard Delay Repay scheme. Under this scheme you may be eligible to claim compensation if your journey is delayed by 15 minutes or more against the revised published timetable. The revised timetables are available in journey planners.
See our Delay Repay compensation page to find out more.
Thank you for bearing with us while we complete these essential repairs. If you need to travel during the closure, accessible replacement buses will be available, and more details are set out below. Please check journey planners and allow extra time for your journey.
General ticket acceptance on other routes during the closure
- Thameslink services between Gravesend and Rainham
- Between Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Sole Street, Meopham, Longfield and London mainline stations
Replacement bus service
Buses will replace trains at the stations below:
- Dartford
- Stone Crossing
- Greenhithe for Bluewater
- Swanscombe
- Northfleet
Schedule
- Between Gravesend and Slade Green calling at Northfleet, Swanscombe, Greenhithe, Stone Crossing and Dartford (approx. 47mins)
- Between Dartford and Crayford (approx. 8mins)
- Between Dartford and Barnehurst (approx. 10mins)
- Between Dartford and Slade Green (approx. 14mins)
Check bus times in our journey planner
Getting between the stations and the replacement buses
The replacement bus stops are as close to the station entrances as possible. You can check the location of all the replacement bus stops on the download maps that are available below:
Are the replacement buses accessible?
- All of our replacement buses can be used by customers who have accessibility requirements.
- If you require assistance for your journey during the closure please call our assisted travel team on 08007 834 524. Find out more about booking assisted travel with us.
- Find out more information about the facilities on our replacement bus service.
What other buses are available?
- From Slade Green towards Dartford: Bus 428 goes via Crayford from Bus Stop B at Whitehall Lane
- From Barnehurst towards Dartford: Bus 492 goes from Bus Stop NJ on Barnehurst Road
- From Crayford towards Dartford: Bus 428 goes from Bus Stop E at Crayford Town Hall
- Between Dartford and Gravesend: B – Gravesend to Dartford and Temple Hill | Fastrack
Which of the stations that are open have toilets?
- Gravesend: Toilets available on platform 0 & 2 during staffing hours – accessible and stoma friendly
- Dartford: Toilets available in booking hall during staffing hours – accessible and stoma friendly
- Crayford: Toilets available on platform 1 during staffing hours – accessible and stoma friendly
- Barnehurst: Toilet available on platform 1 during staffing hours
- Slade Green: Toilet available on platform 2 during staffing hours
You can check all the facilities available at each station on the station information page.
What are the alternative parking options?
When the line and stations are closed between 14 – 22 February car park season ticket holders (monthly and over) can use neighbouring car parks.
This is subject to availability as the car parks at the stations in this area are well-used and are expected to be very busy.
Ebbsfleet International is not included as it is managed by a different operator.
Click here to pre-book your parking at Ebbsfleet International. Please note there is no free Blue Badge parking available at Ebbsfleet.
You can find out full details of each car park on our car parking page.
Where can I find help at the stations if needed?
There will be Southeastern and agency support staff at the stations to assist customers. If no staff are available then please use the Help Points at the stations.
Why are you closing the line for nine-days in a row rather than over a series of weekends?
We have carefully planned this work to take place over nine days rather than over a number of weekends to reduce the total amount of time when journeys are changed and to deliver the reliability benefits more quickly.
The timing of the closure coincides with the February half-term when fewer people use our trains for work or study, and there may be more flexibility with travel plans. There are also more replacement buses available during the school holidays.
You can find out more about how this line closure affects services and any further line closures on our planned engineering work page.
Ashford International to London St Pancras
