Rail users will now be able to travel more reliably after the completion of a three-month project that upgraded the track at Slade Green, Network Rail has said.

The £4.5 million project was aimed at reducing faults and delays at the heavily used junction, where lines from South East London and Greenwich meet each other on their way to Dartford and Kent.

It formed a key part of the South East Upgrade where a record £1.25bn is being invested in track, signalling, structures, earthworks, stations and depots to give passengers better journeys.

Work was carried out over five consecutive weekends from Saturday, January 16 to Sunday, February 14 and then completed last weekend.

The previous track was nearly 50 years old and was in a critical location where trains branched off to the depot where they are stored and maintained.

Network Rail’s Route Director for Kent, Fiona Taylor, said: “This investment in a heavily used, critical part of the railway has already started delivering benefits for Kent’s rail passengers.

“I'm glad we were able to complete the works on time for our passengers and neighbour, creating a more resilient and reliable network."

The works included the renewal of seven switch and crossing units over 316 metres of track. 2,900 tonnes of ballast was used during the project and 820 railway sleepers were replaced.

Virtual drop-in sessions were arranged for local residents and businesses to inform them about the scheme during the Covid lockdown.

Scott Brightwell, Southeastern Train Services Director, said: “The junction at Slade Green is a heavily used part of our network and the track improvement work was much needed.

"This and the wider investment in the South East Upgrade really helps us to improve reliability for our passengers.”

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