Landslips close lines near Tonbridge

Network Rail was expecting the line between Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge to be closed until February 20 (after this issue of RAIL went to press), following a landslip on a 150-metre stretch of cutting on February 1.

The slippage at High Brooms was detected by remote sensors on the site, after two previous incidents in the same area. Engineers decided to close the railway after an inspection.

Some 150 metres of the cutting are being repaired, involving regrading, soil nailing and placing netting over the top. More than 5,000 tonnes of spoil will need to be removed from the site.

Buses have replaced trains between Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

NR closed the Hastings Line from Robertsbridge to Tonbridge from February 15, to carry out earthworks repairs around the southern portal of Wadhurst Tunnel.

The route was already closed around High Brooms to allow engineers to repair a landslip. Although work at Wadhurst Tunnel was planned this year, it has been brought forward to take advantage of the emergency blockade.