No Dartford to London trains at all next week

Major engineering works will be carried out next week resulting in no trains from Dartford to central London for the full week impacting both Southeastern and Thameslink.

The three metro lines via Woolwich, Sidcup and Eltham will still see services though with altered services between 14th and 22nd February.

Monday 16 to Friday 20 February

Trains will run from Slade Green towards central London while Thameslink will start from Plumstead.

On the Eltham line trains will run from Crayford, while the Sidcup line will also see trains between Crayford and central London.

During weekdays these services will operate:

• Towards London Bridge from Slade Green – 8 trains per hour (6 Southeastern starting from Slade Green + 2 Thameslink starting from Plumstead) and 6 trains per hours off-peak (4 Southeastern starting from Slade Green + 2 Thameslink starting from Plumstead)
• Towards London Bridge from Barnehurst – 6 trains per hour
• Towards London Bridge from Crayford – 6 trains per hour at peak times and 4 trains per hour off-peak

On weekends either side:

• Towards London Bridge from Slade Green – 6 trains per hour on Saturdays (4 Southeastern starting from Slade Green + 2 Thameslink starting from Plumstead) and 3 trains per hour on Sundays (2 Southeastern starting from Slade Green + 1 Thameslink starting from Plumstead)
• Towards London Bridge from Barnehurst – 6 trains per hour on Saturdays and 4 trains per hour on Sundays
• Towards London Bridge from Crayford – 4 trains per hour on Saturdays and 2 trains per hour on Sundays

No Thameslink services will run between Plumstead and Gravesend. An hourly Thameslink shuttle service will operate between Gravesend and Rainham.

Engineering work

A £10 million project is being undertaken at Dartford junction which includes 10 switches and point and around more than 350 metres of new track between Slade Green and Dartford.

Half term is next week when travelling numbers tend to fall hence the choice to undertake work in that period.

Replacement buses will operate:

• Between Gravesend and Slade Green calling at Northfleet, Swanscombe, Greenhithe, Stone Crossing and Dartford (approx. 47mins)
  • 4 buses per hour Monday – Saturday / 2 buses per hour on Sundays
• Between Dartford and Slade Green – extra weekday service (approx. 14mins)
  • 4 buses per hour Monday – Friday
• Between Dartford and Crayford (approx. 8mins)
  • 4 buses per hour Monday – Saturday / 2 buses per hour on Sundays
• Between Dartford and Barnehurst (approx. 10mins)
  • 4 buses per hour Monday – Saturday / 2 buses per hour on Sundays

Stations

While no trains are running light upgrade work is being undertaken at a number of stations.

Dartford

• Platform adjustments to reduce the stepping distance between the platforms and the trains to help improve safety for customers
• Repainting work across the station including stairwells and canopies
• Maintenance of the lifts and work to improve the reliability of the track at the Dartford sidings

Stone Crossing

• Replacement of damaged fencing
• Repainting work across the station

Greenhithe

• Repainting work across the station
• Refurbishment of the accessible toilet on Platform 2
• Replacement of the window film on the main building to increase natural light

Swanscombe

• Repainting work across the station
• Deep clean of shelters and concrete panels behind the shelters

Northfleet

• Repainting work across the station
• Installation of new LED lighting under the stairwell canopy on Platform 1
• Addition of two new customer information screens on Platform 1 and 2 to aid journey planning

Many stations in this part of north Kent saw high levels of passenger growth in recent station usage data released in December covering the period up to March 2025.

Unfortunately no work is being undertaken – or apparently any plans in place – to increase facilities and enable improved staffing levels. Aside from Dartford, most stations up to Gravesend have little to no staff presence.

Thousands of homes are being built in the area leading to increased demand which means double digit annual growth looks likely for some years to come.