A train line will be closed for four days at the end of the month to allow engineers to carry out landslip prevention works.

It will be shut between Paddock Wood and Maidstone West from Thursday, October 31 to Sunday, November 3.

The closure will allow Network Rail engineers to carry out works at Teston, East Farleigh station and Maidstone West station.

It will see a 200m sheet pile wall constructed along the railway line near Teston which will stop soil and debris from reaching the track in the event of a landslip caused by flooding or heavy rain.

Landslips can cause a lot of disruption because trains cannot swerve to avoid debris on the line so services then have to be re-routed or delayed.

Network Rail Kent’s route director, David Davidson, said: “It is important that we identify the sites prone to landslips to ensure that we keep passengers safe.

“Some of the slopes, or cuttings, on either side of our tracks, need to be strengthened by improving drainage or adding stronger materials to the slope itself, such as the sheet pile wall at Teston.

“We know there is never a good time to close the railway, but with the work, we expect to improve the resilience of the line as we come into the autumn.”

Southeastern’s operations and safety director, Scott Brightwell, added: “We fully support the need to carry out this prevention work at a site more prone to the risk of landslips, which can lead to debris on the track and significant unplanned disruption.

“Please check before you travel and thanks in advance for bearing with us while this essential work is carried out.”

East Farleigh station and the signal box, both built in 1844, will also be repainted and refurbished and any worn rail will be replaced with new ones at Maidstone West during the closure.

During the closure, there will be no trains at East Farleigh, Wateringbury, Yalding and Beltring with services between Paddock Wood and Strood starting and ending at Maidstone West.

There will be a replacement bus service calling at all stations between Paddock Wood and Maidstone West from Thursday to Saturday and Tonbridge and Maidstone West on Sunday.

The line between Tonbridge, Paddock Wood and Ashford International is also closing on Sunday, November 3 for routine maintenance work.