Commuters were today facing nightmare journeys on the Dover to Folkestone line - after huge cracks in the sea wall shut the stretch indefinitely to trains.

Now passengers are being forced to leave home earlier to go through a sometimes complex series of buses which are replacing the trains between the two towns.

Some have said they might have to move if the difficulties continue for some time. Another commuter today said she was considering changing jobs.

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It comes after revised rail timetables were released for the section between Dover and Folkestone - after a high tide created huge cracks in the sea wall.

The track between Dover Priory and Folkestone Central is closed following severe damage to the sea wall at Dover on Christmas Eve.

VIDEO: Commuters are facing difficulty travelling between Dover and Folkestone.

Since then, the wall has deteriorated further with severe damage to a number of sections and there are a number of sink holes six to nine feet deep along the length of the wall.

But commuters speaking at stations today said they were facing severe difficulties getting into work.

Hannah Hyland, of Dover, said the new system had made her late for work.

She said she had had to drop her daughter off even earlier to cope with the buses.

She said: "There's a massive gap between both buses, so you are either having to leave for the seven o'clock in the morning or the 7.40.

"So for people to get to Folkestone it's hard. It's just another struggle for someone to get to work. I'm having to make other arrangements."

Jamie Flahtey from Folkestone, said he was even comtemplating moving so he could get to work easier.

Jim Runsey, of Folkestone, said he had had to get up earlier to drop his wife off.

He said: "We pay quite a lot of money for our fares. They have quite a profit every year.

"You wonder why they are going to close indefinitely instead of spending the money out to sort this problem. It's half-hearted."

Ruth Watson of Dover described the situation as "awful", and said she was thinking of giving up work because of it.

In an email, Neil Oldfield said his wife was facing up to five changes of buses to get to work.

Major work will need to be carried out to repair the track and the sea wall will also need to be rebuilt, it's been revealed by train operator Southeastern.

When engineers from Network Rail have completed a full assessment of the damage, they will issue an estimate of when it is likely to reopen.

However, it's expected to remain closed for a "substantial" time.

The damage means trains are now not able to run between that stretch of track.

Peak high speed Kent Coast services and most off peak services are unable to stop at Dover Priory, Martin Mill, Walmer, Deal or Sandwich.

Southeastern has now confirmed that, from today, high speed services via Herne Bay will terminate and start back from Ramsgate.

High speed services via Folkestone West will terminate and start back from Folkestone Central.

At the five stations affected – Dover Priory, Martin Mill, Walmer, Deal and Sandwich – there will be

• A bus replacement service running between Dover and Folkestone West calling at Folkestone Central. This will remain in place while repairs to the line take place.
• A special train service is running throughout each day from Dover Priory to Ramsgate stopping at Martin, Mill, Walmer, Deal and Sandwich.
• Folkestone West car park will be free to all passengers with tickets from Dover Priory, Martin Mill, Walmer, Deal or Sandwich as some passengers may find driving to Folkestone West to catch train services from there to be the quickest option.
• The normal train service will operate from Dover to London via Canterbury East.

Southeastern has announced it is not asking passengers to pay the full high speed fare where it is unable to provide a high speed service.

So high speed fares are suspended from Dover Priory, Martin Mill, Walmer, Deal and Sandwich while the works continue.

This means that once passengers arrive at Folkestone or Ramsgate by replacement bus or train services from these five stations they will not be expected to pay an extra supplement to catch a high speed Service for their remaining journey.