MLAG have been aware for a while that essential works are needed to the fabric of the Ore Tunnel. This will necessitate the closure of the line while the work is carried out as trains will not be able to pass through the tunnel. We have now been advised that this work will start on Friday 19 October for two weeks. In our discussions we and other rail groups pressed for a limited shuttle service to operate between Rye and Ashford International. We are happy to say that we were partly successful in that a day time service will operate on week days, but weekends will only have buses. There will in addition to the normal bus replacement service be a mini bus service serving Doleham and Three Oaks which are inconveniently sited for full size coaches.
We reproduce below the Press announcement from Southern/GTR which covers most things. There are also now posters up at the stations on the line outlining main features of the replacement services.
 One month to go: major engineering works for two weeks between Hastings and Rye / Ashford International in October Good afternoon, As you may already be aware from recent information sent out by Network Rail, major works will be taking place next month that will affect Southern services on the Marshlink line between Hastings and Ashford International for just over two weeks from Saturday 19 October. This engineering work, being carried out by Network Rail, will improve the tunnel’s drainage and prevent water from seeping through the tunnel walls and damaging the equipment inside it. Sections of the tunnel’s brickwork will also be repaired, with 700 yards of track replaced too. Once complete, it will mean more punctual and reliable journeys for passengers. However given the scale of the work, it does mean that the tunnel will close to trains between Saturday 19 October and Sunday 3 November, with bus replacement services operating instead. What are the impacts to customers? On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October, and again on Sunday 3 November, buses will replace trains across the entire section between Hastings, Rye and Ashford International. From Monday 21 October every day through to Saturday 2 November, buses will replace trains between Hastings and Rye at all times. Between Rye and Ashford International there will be a shuttle train service running every hour in both directions between approximately 7:30am and 6:30pm (exact departures of first and last shuttle trains will depend on location). Outside of these times, replacement buses will also run on this section.It is also worth noting that train times between Eastbourne and Hastings will be different to usual during these works. Replacement bus services and stop locations Due to the nature of the road layout in the area, in order to serve stops as close to stations as possible we will be operating two bus services over the section between Hastings and Rye. Full size buses will call at Hastings-Ore-Winchelsea-Rye, while a separate minibus service will call at Hastings-Ore-Three Oaks-Doleham (limited service)-Winchelsea-Rye. The smaller vehicles will be able to better navigate some of the very narrow roads along this route. In addition, because of the road network, the calling points of the bus/minibus service will not necessarily always be at the station itself. The locations of the stopping points for the buses/minibuses are: Hastings: station forecourt Ore: ThreeOaks: Maxfield Lane / Butchers Lane (near the Three Oaks pub) Doleham: Doleham Close Winchelsea: in the village; New Inn bus stops, German Street Rye: front of station School and college travel The works have been timed to take place over this period as it coincides – in part – with when most schools in Kent and East Sussex have their half term holidays. However, because the works span across two working weeks, the first week of the closure will impact on school and college travel. We have therefore been engaging with some of the local schools and colleges who may be impacted by these works since before the summer holidays. This was to ensure they knew in good time this work is happening, and to offer them any additional information or support they may require to help get information out to students, parents and staff so they can plan ahead. This engagement will continue in the coming weeks as we get closer to the closure. Customer communications We are working with Network Rail on a comprehensive communications campaign to ensure customers know about the changes to their train services well in advance. Posters and banners are being installed at stations along the route, and there is information on the Southern website. Further details – including a dedicated page with station-by-station information – is due to be added to the website in the coming days, with a link to that from the homepage. As we get closer to the closure we’ll also be posting regular updates and information on the Southern Twitter/X feed. Bus and train times are also now showing in journey planners such as nationalrail.co.uk and we are encouraging customers to use that information to plan ahead, bearing in mind journeys will take longer and they may need to travel at different times in order to make onward connections and complete their journeys. As always, if you have any questions please let us know. Best wishes Ben Thomas Special Project Communications Manager Govia Thameslink Railway Contact the GTR stakeholder team at: GTRPublicAffairs@gtrailway.com |
MLAG will update this site if there are further developments.
David Bookless.