Dartford Junction Closed for Nine Days Over Half-Term. What Kent Travellers Need to Know

Dartford Junction is the busiest railway junction in Kent, handling over 300 trains daily. For nine days over February half-term, it will be completely shut. If you are travelling in south-east London or Kent this week, your journey will be affected.

What is Happening and When

Network Rail is undertaking a £45 million upgrade of the junction infrastructure. All lines through Dartford will be closed from Saturday 15 February through Sunday 23 February 2026.

The work includes track replacement, signalling upgrades, and platform extensions at several stations. This is the most significant closure on the Kent network since the 2018 London Bridge works.

Which Routes Are Affected

The closure impacts multiple operators and routes.

**Southeastern** services from London Charing Cross and Cannon Street to Kent coast destinations will be diverted or replaced by buses. Routes through Dartford to Gravesend, Strood, and Gillingham face the most significant disruption.

**Thameslink** services between London and Rainham are suspended. The cross-London route connecting Kent to Bedford and Luton will terminate at Plumstead, with no service through to Kent.

**London Overground** will run reduced services between Gospel Oak and Barking, with some extension to Barking Riverside but not through to Kent.

Alternative Routes During the Closure

For London to Kent journeys, several alternatives exist.

The **High Speed 1** line from St Pancras International to Ashford International, Ebbsfleet, and Stratford International remains fully operational. This is your fastest option for east Kent destinations. Journeys to Dover, Folkestone, and Canterbury connect at Ashford.

**South Western Railway** services from Waterloo to Guildford and beyond can provide a western alternative for some Kent destinations, though this involves significant backtracking for eastern Kent.

**Rail replacement buses** will operate between Dartford and Gravesend, connecting with trains at either end. These are notoriously slow, so allow extra time.

For **cross-London journeys**, the Jubilee line from West Hampstead to North Greenwich connects with buses to Kent, or take the Elizabeth line to Abbey Wood and connect from there.

Planning Your Journey

National Rail Enquiries and the Southeastern website have journey planners updated for the closure. These are more reliable than standard mapping apps during engineering works.

Station staff will be present at major interchange points to direct passengers. Peak times will see heavy demand on rail replacement services, so travel outside rush hours if possible.

Why Now

February half-term was chosen because passenger numbers are typically 30 percent lower than during summer months. Schools are closed, reducing commuter demand, and fewer leisure travellers use the Kent coast in mid-February.

Network Rail states the work is essential for capacity improvements ahead of Thameslink service enhancements planned for 2027. New crossovers and extended platforms will allow longer trains and more frequent services.

The Bottom Line

If you must travel through Kent this week, expect longer journeys and plan for connections. The High Speed 1 route from St Pancras is your best bet for speed. For local journeys in north Kent, buses will be the only option, so consider whether your trip is essential or can be delayed until normal service resumes on Monday 24 February.

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**Sources**

- [National Rail Dartford closure information](https://www.nationalrail.co.uk)

- [Network Rail engineering works calendar](https://www.networkrail.co.uk)

- [Southeastern service updates](https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk)