High winds and stormy weather

High winds, heavy rain and storms can all bring your journey to a standstill. They are often the culprits behind major disruption on our network, such as flooding, fallen trees and debris on the tracks (like garden furniture and trampolines) or dangerous landslips which can block the line.

Flooding

Heavy rain and flooding can short-circuit power supplies and disrupt signalling systems – the railway’s traffic light system – which is why we closely monitor weather forecasts and act fast when flood warnings are issued. We’ve installed pumps at flood-prone locations like Wadhurst to help clear water quickly and keep trains moving. Flooding can also block lines, wash debris and mud onto the track, or even wash away the ballast – the stones that hold the track in place – making it unsafe for trains to run until repairs are made.

Landslips

Landslips are a serious risk, especially on embankments and cuttings, even after the rain has stopped. They happen when water saturates the soil, weakening its structure and causing it to slide. In high-risk areas, we’ve installed remote condition monitoring – tiny electronic sensors in the ground that detect any movement and send alerts if a landslip is likely. These alerts are checked using trackside cameras, allowing us to quickly assess the situation and stop trains if needed, keeping passengers safe. On routes like the Hastings line, you’ll see these systems in action, alongside engineering works – such as the 200-metre-long metal wall installed on the Medway Valley line to protect the railway from landslips.

High winds

High winds can bring your journey to a halt. Fallen trees and wind-blown debris – including garden items like trampolines – can damage trains and electrical equipment. We manage hundreds of miles of trackside trees and shrubs year-round and ask our lineside neighbours to secure loose items before storms hit.

We’re on the case

When bad weather strikes, we may need to put in place speed restrictions to slow our trains down or run an amended timetable to keep you moving safely. And in some circumstances, we’ll be unable to run trains at all on some routes until we’ve checked the track is clear and safe for us to run on, or when weather is too dangerous for people to make any journeys. We’re -

• Installing pumps at flood-prone locations like Wadhurst to help clear water quickly and keep trains moving.
• Installing remote condition monitoring - tiny electronic sensors in the ground that detect any movement and send alerts if a landslip is likely and carrying out engineering works - such as the 200-metre-long metal wall installed on the Medway Valley line - to protect the railway from landslips.
• Managing hundreds of miles of trackside trees and shrubs year-round and asking our lineside neighbours to secure loose items, like trampolines, before storms hit.
• Changing to a Winter Weather or Severe Winter Weather Timetable or putting in place speed restrictions to keep trains running.

Whenever the Met Office forecasts adverse weather, be sure to check before you travel. Up-to-date information about our services is available on our live information page, our Southeastern app and X @Se_Railway. Find out how we prepare for other weather such as ice and snow.