A Kent MP says Network Rail has questions to answer over its maintenance of a section of railway line that has collapsed.

Damian Collins, the MP for Folkestone and Hythe, made the comments in reaction to news the coastal line between Dover and Folkestone could be closed until the end of February.

He has also called on train operator Southeastern to drop its fares and give commuters a discount during months of impending disruption.

It comes after his colleague Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, yesterday called for a review after high tides and strong winds battered the sea wall causing sections of it to collapse.

Both MPs say the link needs to be restored as quickly as possible.

Mr Elphicke says he is seeking assurances from the Department for Transport that repairs will be "a priority and as swift as possible" and has also requested a meeting with Network Rail at the site - near to Dover Harbour.

Mr Collins says he is lobbying Southeastern to give season ticket holders "an upfront discount" due to the disruption they are due to face.

He said: "This is an important rail connection and needs to be fully restored as soon as possible.

"Season ticket holders whose journeys will be disrupted over the next few months should also receive an upfront discount, and I will be asking Southeastern trains to do this.

"Southeastern also need to make sure that they have sufficient rolling stock available to run services to Folkestone from Ashford, as well as provide for any additional trains required to serve passengers between Dover and Ramsgate."

Cracks were first discovered in the sea wall on Christmas Eve but engineers have found two or three sinkholes along the wall with further damage caused over the past few days.

Network Rail says "major work" will be required to repair the damage and rebuild the sea wall.

But Mr Collins has questioned Network Rail's maintenance programme for the line.

He added: "High tides and rough seas are not uncommon, and the sea wall and rail track that sits above it, need to be able to withstand this normal kind of winter weather.

"I will be asking them to share their latest maintenance reports relating to this stretch of track from before Christmas Eve, when the cracks in the sea wall first appeared."

Replacement bus services will take on the route between Folkestone and Dover with trains only running as far as Folkestone Central.

Passengers have been advised that high speed services will not run directly to Dover Priory and instead "some will be diverted" between Ashford International and Ramsgate via Canterbury West.

Commuters heading directly to London from Dover Priory have been advised to use the London Victoria service via Canterbury East.

For full travel information go to National Rail Enquiries website via www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 03457 484950. Alternatively contact Southeastern on www.southeasternrailway.co.uk or call 0345 322 7021