Southeastern has announced that a full train service between Tonbridge and Hastings will not be resumed tomorrow (Monday) as planned.

The company said that waterlogged ground was still hampering Network Rail’s efforts to complete the track repair following several landslips almost a month ago.

A shuttle train service will operate between Hastings and Battle and between Wadhurst and London, with a bus link completing the gap between Battle and Wadhurst.

Network Rail said that one of the landslip repairs at Whatlington had started moving again on Friday night.

Thecomany said their engineers had beeen working round-the-clock tore-open the line, but that would now be edlayed for several days more.

Network Rail's managing director for Kent, Fiona Taylor, said: "We know how important it is to get people back on trains. However, we have to put safety first and in this instance the movement of the landslip means it will not be safe to run trains over it for a few more days.

"Thankfully we had a team on site working on the slip so we were able to take immediate action.
"In the meantime we are working with Southeastern on a new plan for the week ahead.
"Passengers are advised to check before they travel for first part of the week and we will will work with the operator to keep them informed of any further developments."

A spokesman for Southeastern told commuters: “Thank you for your continued patience - we’re sorry it’s taking longer.”