Sheerness line closures in June and July
Last updated 20 June 2024
Buses will replace trains between Sheerness-on-Sea and Sittingbourne over several dates in June and July this year.
Download Sheerness line bus replacements PDF
The railway will be closed while Network Rail engineers carry out essential safety repairs to the Kingsferry Bridge between Queenborough and Swale stations on the Isle of Sheppey.
What work is being done?
The repairs are needed after routine inspections revealed that the condition of some of the 40 steel ropes, which support the bridge when it lifts for maritime traffic, have deteriorated.
The ropes were last replaced in 1995 and are therefore reaching the end of their life. While regular testing ensures bridge users are kept safe, if the rope condition worsens it could result in an unplanned closure which would cause significant disruption to bridge users until repairs are made.
What are the train service changes?
Below are the dates when buses will replace trains. Please note that the buses will not call at Swale station due to low customer numbers and the extra time it would add to journeys to the other stations.
- Saturday 29 June to Saturday 6 July
- Saturday 13 July and Sunday 14 July
- Saturday 20 July to Saturday 27 July
Please see replacement bus timetables below:
- Saturday 29 June
- Sunday 30 June
- Monday 1 to Friday 5 July
- Saturday 6 July
- Saturday 13 July
- Sunday 14 July
- Saturday 20 July
- Sunday 21 July
- Monday 22 to Friday 26 July
- Saturday 27 July
What is the travel advice while the line is closed?
We want to thank customers for bearing with us while this essential repair work is carried out on the bridge. If you do need to travel along the line during the closure then accessible replacement buses are available but please check journey planners and allow much more time for your journey.
Are the replacement bus stops close to the stations?
Most of the replacement bus stops are close to the station entrances but there is a short walk from Queenborough station. You can check the location of all the station replacement bus stops on the download maps available below:
Sheerness on Sea
Queenborough
KemsleySittingbourne
Accessible travel
- All of our replacement buses can be used by customers who have accessibility needs.
- We will be able to provide a taxi for customers who need assisted travel if there is no available bus.
- If you require assistance for your journey during the closure please call our assisted travel team on 08007 834 524. You can find out more about booking assisted travel with us.
- You can also find out more details about accessibility on rail replacement bus services.
Which stations between Sheerness on Sea and Sittingbourne have accessible toilets?
Accessible toilet facilities are available at Sittingbourne station.
Where can customers find help at the stations if needed?
There will be Southeastern and agency support staff at the stations to help customers if needed. If no staff are available you can use the Help Points on the station platforms.
Are the local service buses running?
There are buses running but you should check with the operator in Sheppey– Chalkwell– to see if there are any changes to their bus routes and times during the closure.
Please note that we do not have rail ticket acceptance in place with Chalkwell.
Cycling
Sheerness-on-Sea: There is space for 40 bikes in cycle racks and there will be some limited storage provision during the closures.
Sittingbourne: There is space for 98 bikes in cycle racks.
Customers are reminded that bicycles are left at your own risk.
When the Kingsferry Bridge is closed Network Rail is also providing a 24/7 shuttle bus will be in place to transport pedestrians and cyclists across the Sheppey Crossing.
Pick-up and drop-off points will be on Sheppey Way off the Queenborough Road/ Cowstead Corner roundabout (Sheppey side), and alternatively on Sheppey Way by the Old Ferry Road roundabout (mainland side). The shuttle bus will run approximately once an hour, on the hour, however congestion on the wider network may affect departure times and overall journey times.
Leisure cyclists are requested to avoid using the shuttle service to leave space for people commuting to work via bicycle.
Parking
Southeastern car park season ticket holders can park at Sittingbourne station, but it is a very busy car park that is usually full by 8am on weekdays. There are only a very small number of spaces at Sheerness and Queenborough stations.
Why have you chosen these dates for the repairs?
To reduce the risk of a sudden closure and to take advantage of favourable summer weather and tides, all 40 ropes will be replaced between June and July this year. By doing the work in the summer the risk of the Sheppey Crossing, the alternative route to the island, closing due to high winds is also significantly reduced.
Staggering the repairs not only reduces the impact on local communities, allowing them to plan around the closures, but also on vital maritime traffic, which contributes billions of pounds to the national economy.
What about road users when the bridge is closed?
When Kingsferry Bridge is closed, motorists are advised to use Sheppey Crossing but to leave more time to travel as congestion due to existing roadworks means journeys will take longer.
People using replacement or local buses should also leave more time for their journeys as it will take longer due to the increased traffic congestion.
You can find more details about the bridge repairs on the Network Rail website.
To help with our planning for these closures we would be very grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete this survey.
