Key stations, including Rochester, Chatham, and Gillingham, will close on Sunday, 26 October 2025. Network Rail is doing essential maintenance. This means all Southeastern and Thameslink train services through the Medway Towns are cancelled. Passengers must plan ahead for major disruptions.
Big Rail Disruption Hits Medway
People travelling through the Medway area of Kent this weekend face big changes. The main rail line will be completely closed. This means three major stations, Rochester, Chatham, and Gillingham, will have no train services on Sunday, 26 October.
Engineering teams must carry out vital planned maintenance work. The work is scheduled between Sole Street and Rainham, and on the route from Strood to Rainham. This type of work requires the total shutdown of all lines.
Southeastern, the main rail operator, confirmed the closures. The three main Medway stations will be closed to trains all day. All services will be replaced by buses. Thameslink trains, which also use this line, will not run between Dartford and Rainham.
Travellers must check their plans immediately. They should also expect journeys to take much longer than usual.
Bus Services Will Replace Trains
An extensive replacement bus service has been set up to help passengers travel. These buses will cover the closed parts of the line. They will connect passengers to train services that are still running outside of the engineering areas.
The bus routes will serve the closed stations: Rochester, Chatham, and Gillingham. There will be two main routes:
- Meopham to Rainham: This bus is accessible and will stop at every station, except for Sole Street. It will help people connect to other parts of the network, especially towards London.
- Strood to Rainham: This second service will run between Strood and Rainham. It will stop at all stations in between. This is an important link for the Medway Towns, allowing people to reach the open rail network at Strood.
Southeastern has warned that local road traffic could delay the buses. They ask passengers to add plenty of extra time to their journeys. Also, they note that the replacement buses might be busier than normal. This is due to a general shortage of bus drivers across the country.
If you need help or accessible transport, contact the rail operator ahead of time. Book your travel well in advance. Keep in mind that replacement buses often can’t carry large items, such as bulky luggage or bicycles.
Why Engineering Work Is Needed
Network Rail is doing this maintenance. It’s part of their work to keep the rail system in the South East modern and well-maintained. The Medway line is very busy. It handles a lot of passenger and freight traffic. Because of this high use, regular, planned work is essential for safety and reliability.
Network Rail has not given specific details about the work. However, they always stress that this type of work is planned very carefully. It is crucial for maintaining and improving the railway tracks and equipment. This work is too big to do in short overnight slots. A full weekend closure is the safest and most efficient way to finish the project.
These essential investments help make the line stronger. They prevent unexpected problems that would cause service failures. By doing the most disruptive work on a scheduled weekend, Network Rail tries to keep the impact on daily commuters to a minimum.
Other Closures Affecting Travel
The Medway station closures are not the only problem this weekend. Several other major engineering projects are happening across the South East. This will make alternative travel even more complicated.
A major closure starts on Saturday, 25 October. The line between Tunbridge Wells and Hastings will be completely shut down for nine days. This will last until Sunday, 2 November. Trains from London Charing Cross to Hastings will only run as far as Tunbridge Wells. Buses will replace trains for the rest of the route south. This is a very big project tackling major maintenance issues on the line.
In addition, work between Hither Green and Petts Wood will close all lines there on Sunday, 26 October. This will divert some services. Trains from the Paddock Wood Line will be diverted to London Victoria, instead of London Charing Cross. Hastings Line trains will also run on a revised timetable. They will be diverted between London Bridge and Orpington.
Stations like Grove Park, Elmstead Woods, and Chislehurst will only have rail replacement buses. These buses will run between Lewisham and Orpington.
Passengers must carefully check how all these different projects will affect their journey. The number of closures across Medway, Kent, and the London approach lines means careful planning is required. To get the most current and correct travel information, check the National Rail Enquiries website or the official operator apps before leaving home. Be patient, check all the details, and allow extra time.
