Aylesford Village level crossing to close for three days for Network Rail essential work between Maidstone Barracks and Aylesford
Published: 12:28, 04 June 2024
Updated: 10:32, 27 June 2024
Residents in one town will see their level crossing close for four days as part of planned railway works.
The scheduled improvements by Network Rail start from tomorrow (June 5), between Aylesford and Maidstone Barracks station.
Contractor Volker Rail, will be replacing the track and drainage to improve the quality of the rail in the area.
In a letter to residents, Network Rail says the main works will be “noisy” and will involve removing old track with excavators and replacing the rail with a special track laying machine.
It adds: “During these works there will be some noisy equipment, lights, and generators on site.
“You may also hear train horns being sounded because we need to alert our staff on track, of all train movements in the area.
“We are sorry for any disturbance and inconvenience this causes you.”
The letter details the full works schedule and states the major work will see the Aylesford Village Crossing on Station Road close, from July 19 until July 22.
The working hours have been amended to start at 10pm until 4am.
During this time, public rights of way MR479A and KB39 will be closed.
The full timetable states that work begins on June 5 and ends on August 30.
As part of the improvements, Network Rail will be using the Aylesford Village level crossing to load and unload track machinery on and off the railway.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “We’ve written to local residents in Aylesford to explain to that we’ll be replacing track on the railway, including over the Aylesford village level crossing.
“This is all part of planned maintenance. Part of the work involves work to the trackbed itself, including drainage.
“Our teams will also be making deliveries of materials overnight on Wednesday 5 June, with overnight preparation works also taking place in the lead-up to the main work taking place.
“Aylesford Village level crossing will be closed to traffic to facilitate plant and staff accessing the track, with trains between Tonbridge, Paddock Wood, Maidstone West and Strood replaced by buses on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July.”
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Elli Hodgson