One month to go: Major repairs in the Ore tunnel mean that the railway will be closed between Hastings and Rye from Saturday 19 October to Sunday 3 November 2024

19 September 17:00: Updated to correct information about shuttle buses.

Network Rail have issued the following press release about planned tunnel repair work that will mean no train services between Hastings and Ashford on 19 and 20 October, and no services between Hastings and Rye from 19 October to 3 November:

• Buses will replace trains between Hastings, Rye and Ashford International while engineers work on the tunnel

Essential work in the Ore tunnel beginning one month from today will improve drainage and prevent water seeping through the tunnel walls, preventing future damage to the railway equipment inside it.

Sections of brickwork will also be repaired, with parts of the tunnel lined with sprayed concrete, and 700 yards of track replaced.

The work will provide more reliable journeys for passengers and be another step towards reducing journey times in the future.

On the weekend of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October there will be no trains between Hastings, Rye and Ashford International. Buses will replace trains.

From Monday 21 October every day through to Sunday 3 November, buses will replace trains at all times between Hastings and Rye.

A shuttle train service will run between Rye and Ashford International between approximately 7:30am and 6:30pm on each of these dates until Saturday 2 November. Outside these times, rail replacement buses will operate.

To take full advantage of the closed line, Network Rail engineers have scheduled a wide range of other improvement works to reduce future engineering closures. These include:

• Replacing 700 yards of track through the tunnel 1,402-yard (1,282 metre) long tunnel, and around the Ore area;
• Refurbishing four sets of switches and crossings (otherwise known as ‘points’) to improve reliability;
• Repairing the footbridge at Ore station and the Briscoe Road bridge in Guestling;
• Surveys and maintenance of embankments/cuttings to prevent landslips;
• Maintenance of drainage culverts between Winchelsea and Hastings.

All the work will be finished by Monday 4 November 2024.

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex Route Director, said: “We know there’s never a good time to close the railway and we’re sorry for the disruption to people’s journeys. Working in cramped tunnels is challenging and unfortunately, due to the nature of the conditions, work takes longer.

“We have planned the work to take place, in part, over the October half-term holidays to reduce disruption to school travel and because trains are typically quieter during school holidays. That means fewer people are likely to be affected overall.”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Govia Thameslink Railway, which operates Southern trains, said: “We thank customers for their patience while Network Rail carries out these difficult tunnel repairs and other essential improvements. We’ve arranged replacement buses so customers can complete their journeys, so please check schedules and stopping points in advance and allow plenty of extra time for your trip.”

Customers should check train times at www.nationalrail.co.uk and plan alternative routes at www.tfl.gov.uk.