Key Points
- Engineering work in the Dartford area is closing all lines on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February 2026, affecting multiple Southeastern routes including Woolwich, Bexleyheath, and Sidcup lines.
- Trains from London Cannon Street to Dartford via Lewisham and Woolwich Arsenal will terminate at Barnehurst on Saturday.
- Trains from Dartford to London Cannon Street via Woolwich Arsenal and Lewisham will start at Slade Green on Saturday.
- Trains between London Cannon Street and Slade Green via Greenwich and Woolwich Arsenal will run normally on Saturday.
- On the Bexleyheath line, trains between London Cannon Street and Slade Green via Bexleyheath will run between London Cannon Street and Crayford on Saturday.
- Trains from London Victoria to Dartford will run between London Victoria and Slade Green via Bexleyheath on Saturday; trains towards London Victoria will only run between Barnehurst and London Victoria.
- Trains between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath will run to and from Crayford every 30 minutes on Saturday.
- On the Sidcup line, trains from London Charing Cross to Gravesend will run between London Charing Cross and Slade Green via Sidcup on Saturday; trains from Gravesend to London Charing Cross via Sidcup will start at Crayford.
- Trains from London Charing Cross to Dartford via Sidcup will run between London Charing Cross and Barnehurst via Sidcup on Saturday; trains from Dartford to London Charing Cross via Sidcup will start at Crayford.
- On Sunday, trains between London Cannon Street and Slade Green via Greenwich and Woolwich Arsenal will run but some journeys may operate at different times for part of the route.
- Bexleyheath line trains between London Cannon Street and Slade Green will run between London Cannon Street and Barnehurst on Sunday.
- Services between London Victoria and Dartford will run between London Cannon Street and Barnehurst on Sunday.
- Trains between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath will run to and from Crayford every 30 minutes on Sunday.
- Replacement accessible buses will operate between Slade Green and Gravesend calling at all stations, Barnehurst/Crayford and Dartford calling at all stations, and Ebbsfleet International and Gravesend on both days.
- Stations including Dartford, Stone Crossing, Greenhithe for Bluewater, Swanscombe, and Northfleet will be closed to trains and served only by buses.
- High Speed services between London St Pancras International and Ramsgate via Faversham will only run to Ebbsfleet International on both days.
- No trains on Sidcup line between London Charing Cross and Gravesend via Sidcup on Sunday; trains to Dartford via Sidcup will run to Crayford.
- Thameslink services will not run between Plumstead and Gravesend; reduced services elsewhere.
- Tickets accepted on Southeastern trains between London Bridge and Barnehurst/Slade Green, replacement buses Slade Green-Gravesend, and Elizabeth line Farringdon-Abbey Wood.
Lewisham and Bexley (South London News) February 7, 2026 – Commuters in Lewisham, Bexley, and surrounding areas face significant Southeastern train disruptions this weekend due to essential engineering work closing all lines through Dartford on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February. The works, coordinated by Network Rail, will alter services on the Woolwich, Bexleyheath, and Sidcup lines, with many trains terminating early at stations like Barnehurst, Crayford, and Slade Green. Replacement buses are provided, but passengers are advised to check journeys and allow extra time amid expected crowds.
What Engineering Work is Causing the Disruptions?
The disruptions stem from planned engineering work in the Dartford area, as detailed on the National Rail Enquiries website. All lines via Dartford are closed on both days to facilitate maintenance, with buses replacing trains between key points such as Slade Green/Sidcup/Ebbsfleet International and Gravesend. Southeastern Railway’s official service updates confirm this aligns with ongoing track improvements, noting that such works occur regularly at weekends to maintain infrastructure.
As reported on Southeastern’s planned engineering work page, these closures are part of preparations ahead of a larger line shutdown through Dartford from 14 to 22 February for track replacement, but the weekend of 7-8 February specifically impacts local routes. Network Rail emphasises that replacement services will be busy, urging passengers to plan ahead.
How Will Saturday Services Be Affected?
On Saturday 7 February, Woolwich line trains from London Cannon Street to Dartford via Lewisham and Woolwich Arsenal will run only to Barnehurst via Lewisham and Woolwich Arsenal, according to National Rail details.
Trains from Dartford to London Cannon Street via Woolwich Arsenal and Lewisham start at Slade Green, while services between London Cannon Street and Slade Green via Greenwich and Woolwich Arsenal operate normally.
Bexleyheath line alterations include trains between London Cannon Street and Slade Green via Bexleyheath running to Crayford via Bexleyheath. Trains from London Victoria to Dartford run between London Victoria and Slade Green via Bexleyheath, with London-bound services only from Barnehurst to London Victoria. As specified in the engineering notice, trains between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath operate to and from Crayford every 30 minutes.
Sidcup line sees trains from London Charing Cross to Gravesend running to Slade Green via Sidcup, with Gravesend to Charing Cross starting at Crayford. Charing Cross to Dartford via Sidcup run to Barnehurst, and Dartford to Charing Cross start at Crayford. High Speed trains from London St Pancras International to Ramsgate via Faversham terminate at Ebbsfleet International.
What Changes Occur on Sunday?
Sunday 8 February brings further modifications, with Woolwich line trains between London Cannon Street and Slade Green via Greenwich and Woolwich Arsenal running but some at altered times for part of the journey. Bexleyheath line services from London Cannon Street to Slade Green run only to Barnehurst.
Services between London Victoria and Dartford operate between London Cannon Street and Barnehurst, as noted in National Rail updates. Trains between London Charing Cross and Dartford via Bexleyheath continue to Crayford every 30 minutes.
Sidcup line has no trains between London Charing Cross and Gravesend; services to Dartford run to Crayford. High Speed remains limited to Ebbsfleet International, and Thameslink skips Plumstead to Gravesend with reduced frequencies.
Where Are Replacement Buses Running?
Accessible replacement buses serve Slade Green and Gravesend calling at all stations, Barnehurst/Crayford and Dartford calling at all stations, and Ebbsfleet International to Gravesend on Saturday. On Sunday, buses cover Barnehurst/Slade Green to Gravesend, Crayford to Dartford, and Ebbsfleet to Gravesend.
Stations closed to Southeastern trains include Dartford, Stone Crossing, Greenhithe for Bluewater, Swanscombe, and Northfleet, served solely by buses. Southeastern advises checking station signage for pick-up points and allowing extra time due to potential crowds.
Are Tickets Flexible During Disruptions?
Passengers can use tickets at no extra cost on Southeastern trains between London Bridge and Barnehurst/Slade Green, and on replacement buses between Slade Green and Gravesend. Paper rail tickets are accepted on Elizabeth line services between Farringdon and Abbey Wood.
National Rail recommends using the Journey Planner for real-time checks. Southeastern echoes this, promoting their app and live map for updates up to 12 weeks ahead.
Why is This Work Happening Now?
The engineering aligns with weekend scheduling to minimise weekday impact, as explained by Southeastern in their service updates.
It precedes major half-term closures from 14 February for track replacement between Slade Green, Barnehurst, Crayford, and Gravesend via Dartford, involving no trains and extensive bus replacements.
Network Rail’s media centre highlights similar upgrades, like switch renewals and rail installations in the area, improving safety and reliability. This weekend’s work ensures smoother execution of larger projects.
How Can Commuters Plan Ahead?
Residents in Lewisham, Bexley, Dartford, and Bexleyheath should anticipate longer journeys, with buses taking substantially more time than trains. Use Southeastern’s journey planner or app for confirmed timetables, which may update close to travel.
For those reliant on Sidcup or Bexleyheath lines to central London, early terminations at Crayford or Barnehurst mean connections via London Bridge or Cannon Street. Families and workers are urged to avoid non-essential travel, especially with half-term approaching.
What Do Officials Advise?
Southeastern states: “Please be aware, where rail replacement bus services are in operation, journeys may take longer than normal.” National Rail adds: “Replacement vehicles may be busier than usual, and you should allow extra time for your journey.”
No direct quotes from named journalists appear in primary sources, but National Rail Enquiries’ engineering pages provide the authoritative breakdown. Southeastern’s updates reinforce checking before travel.
