Safety concerns have been raised after part of a platform collapsed at Newington Railway Station.

Passengers were met with a hole in the ground at the Station Road facility as part of the Sittingbourne-bound paving fell away on Sunday afternoon.

A Southeastern spokesman confirmed the damage was reported to them and another worker was sent to warn people, while arrangements were made to have it fixed.

Trains were replaced by buses from 8pm so Network Rail could repair the platform.

Pictures showed the slab had fallen through beside the tracks and was surrounded with cones and tape.

Cllr Richard Palmer (Swale Independents), who represents Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch, went to the station after being told about the collapse.

"My gut feeling is that it's caused by old infrastructure that hasn't been replaced for years," he said.

"Our general infrastructure is worn and we get by on a wing and a prayer.

"It could've been far more serious and it's a worry because there's similar sections along the platform."

Southeastern spokesman Paul Prentice said: "We became aware of damage to part of one of the platforms at Newington station at 1.30pm on Sunday, and immediately sent an extra member of staff to the damaged section of platform to ensure the safety of all of our passengers.

"From 8pm onwards, rail replacement buses for trains running towards Sittingbourne were put in place on that section of line until the end of service, so that Network Rail could repair the platform.

"Work was completed in time for normal service to begin this morning."

Network Rail - which is responsible for railway infrastructure - has been contacted for comment.

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