Gravesend station got its first new footbridge since the 1800s at the weekend.

It is part of a £19 million development which will see a new platform built to allow 12-car trains to stop.

It was installed by contractors C Spencer, and features lifts which will come into use in the New Year.

The original footbridge will be lifted out on Sunday, December 1 and donated to a heritage railway.

As work continues to upgrade the station, there will be no trains between Northfleet and Higham for the next two Sundays, November 24 and December 1.

Replacement buses will connect services at Ebbsfleet, Strood, Greenhithe (for Bluewater) and Meopham.

Clive Road, Barrack Row and part of Darnley Road will be subject to closures on various dates between now and the New Year and there will be further disruption to rail services over the festive season.

Major work over the Christmas period will require 15 days of construction as the track layout is redesigned and the new platform installed.

There will be no trains from Gravesend station from December 22 to January 6. Replacement buses will cater for the lost services.

The project is due to be finished next March.

Southeastern’s Customer Relations Manager, Alison Nolan said: “The benefit of this project will enable us to run longer trains through Gravesend and the station will be made fully accessible.

“However in order for Network Rail to carry out this major work, we won’t be able to run services through the station over the next two Sundays and for 15 days over the Christmas and New Year period.

“We realise this will be an inconvenience to our customers so we’re providing a range of alternative travel options. Detailed station-by-station travel advice is available on our website and timetables will be delivered to stations shortly.”