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Thu March 28 2024

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Network Rail nears completion of Sussex landslip repairs

28 Mar 14 After weeks of round-the-clock emergency repair work, Network Rail is hoping to re-open the full length of the Hastings to Tonbridge railway line next week.

Saturated land and sheet piles near Whatlington landslip on Hastings-Tonbridge line
Saturated land and sheet piles near Whatlington landslip on Hastings-Tonbridge line

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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MPU

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