by Martin Jefferies

A £120m project to improve train journeys through east Kent looks set to cause significant disruption for passengers travelling in the week between Christmas and New Year.

High speed and mainline services to and from London St Pancras International, London Victoria, London Charing Cross and London Cannon Street will be affected between the coast and Sittingbourne.

Southeastern has announced a number of rail replacement bus services from Tuesday, December 27, and Monday, January 2, while on weekdays, trains will run to a Saturday or Sunday timetable.

However, a spokesman for Southeastern said: "We're working with Network Rail to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum."

The track closures over the festive period will allow Network Rail to complete a two-year project to replace the 60-year-old signalling along 62 miles of railway.

It is hoped this will improve reliability and allow Southeastern to carry more passengers.

The old system, which was installed in the 1950s and uses levers, bells and pulleys to control signals and points, is being replaced with a computerised system and a simplified track layout.

Meanwhile, a new signalling centre in Gillingham will replace the existing signal boxes in Faversham, Margate, Ramsgate, Minster, Canterbury East and Shepherds Well.

Dave Ward, Network Rail's route managing director for Kent said: "The technology is more reliable, allows more trains to run more quickly and gives signallers more options when handling trains, improving people's journeys.

"This investment in the latest signalling technology brings the railway in east Kent into the 21st century and puts it on a par with leading railways in Europe, Japan and the USA."