The final piece of the Rochester railway jigsaw is now complete, as rail bosses promise improved reliability for tens of thousands of passengers each day.

The first trains ran on a new section of railway on Monday, marking the completion of a three-year project which has included creating a new £26m station 500m up the track from the old one.

Engineers spent the weekend connecting the track through Rochester’s platform 3, creating a new stretch of line that runs east to the old station where it joins back up with the main line.

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The new loop is long enough to hold a full-length freight train and 12-car passenger trains. Network Rail has said it will improve reliability and flexibility.

Signalling director Huw Edwards said: “This is a big moment for us and a proud one. The railway through the Medway Towns has been a pinch-point since it was built and this extra track will help us run a more reliable and flexible service.

“Up until now the only place we could terminate or overtake a 12-car passenger train or a longer freight train, was Gillingham, meaning that congestion could build up and delay passengers. It’s unsung pieces of engineering work like this that help keep passengers on the move as our railway just keeps on getting busier.”

Watch: First trains run on new track at Rochester station

Video from Network Rail and Southeastern

The overall project has also included replacing the signal boxes at Rochester, Gillingham, Rainham and Sittingbourne with a signalling centre in Gillingham and a new platform at Rainham which came into use in March.

Richard Dean, Southeastern’s train services director, said: “Rail services through the Medway Towns have undergone a great deal of investment in the past few years.

“Undoubtedly, this part of Kent is very important to us and the new Rochester loop will increase the capacity there, which will help free up a very busy area that serves tens of thousands of passengers each day.”

Timetable changes in December this year will see more services calling at Rochester’s platform three and further changes planned for 2018 will see more trains using the new Rainham platform.