Folkestone to Dover Train Line to Reopen in the Autumn

Network Rail have announced the £39.8m project to rebuild the line between Folkestone and Dover will be completed this autumn.

Work to repair and rebuild the railway has been taking place since December 2015, when the line had to be closed after it became severely damaged. Engineers are working to build a new 235 metre-long viaduct, supported by 134 concrete columns. The work is ahead of schedule and Network Rail is working towards completing the project in the autumn.

Network Rail's area director, Paul Rutter said:

"We understand the impact of this closure has had on passengers, and our engineers have been working round the clock to finish the repairs and get trains running again between Dover and Folkestone.

"We had set aside time for interruptions to the project through bad weather and other issues which can occur on major projects, but so far that contingency has not proved necessary. As a result we are much further ahead than we had expected and have seen the overall cost of the project decrease.

"As soon as we have a firm date for reopening the railway line, we will let passengers know."

Richard Dean, Southeastern's Train Service's Director, said the company was currently working hard on a developing a new timetable to account for the re-opening of the line over the Dover sea wall.

He added:

"I know passengers have found it difficult since the partial collapse of the sea wall severed the track we run our trains on at Dover. I would like to thank them for their patience. We put in place replacement buses, shuttle train services and a comprehensive compensation package for season ticket holders as the damage to the wall meant we were unable to run a full service.

"It is very good news that Network Rail's engineers say they are confident the work will be finished in the autumn, much earlier than the December date originally predicted, as the earlier we can provide the full service our passengers need the better. Network Rail's engineers have worked around the clock and the progress made is remarkable."