Three major landslips earlier this year prevented trains from safely running on the line.
An embankment near Marley Lane level crossing, near Battle, slipped on 30th January, closing the Battle/Robertsbridge section. An embankment near Whatlington Viaduct, near Battle, slipped on 3rd February and an embankment near Stonegate station slipped on 9th February, resulting in the closure of the Wadhurst/Robertsbridge section until 3rd March.
Network Rail had hoped to fully re-open the route in early March, but the Whatlington slip moved again, despite considerable work having taken place to fix it.
Since then, engineers have been working 24 hours a day to repair the damage.
Network Rail’s route managing director for Kent, Fiona Taylor, said: “We have had a serious engineering challenge to meet at Whatlington, as well as at the other landslip sites, and it has taken a huge effort from everyone to get to this position.
“We are confident the line will re-open next week.”
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