Some Kent trains will not run until Wednesday afternoon due to rail strikes
The rail strike planned for Tuesday will continue to impact services well into Wednesday afternoon
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Parts of the railway line in Kent will be closed until Wednesday afternoon due to ongoing staffing issues caused by strikes.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union are set to walkout on Tuesday 21, Thursday 23 and Saturday June 25 over pay and working conditions.
However, the strikes will still have an impact on rail services on non-strike days.
Though many of the stations affected are smaller and more rural, such as Martin Mill near Deal, some larger stations such as Ramsgate and Canterbury East and West, which are on the high speed route to London Victoria, will also be affected.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “The area is supplied with power by a local electrical control office that we know will have some unique staffing issues on Wednesday, due to the rail strike.
“Safety checks on the power supply to trains – called continuity tests – will have to be done from the morning.
“This is to make sure all electrical supplies are operating correctly before trains run. Not doing these checks could lead to trains becoming stranded with no power on a hot day, which would be an unacceptable risk.
“We are working with Southeastern to reintroduce trains on a line-by-line basis, working round east Kent.
“This will take around seven hours and we urge passengers to check before they travel on the day.
“We’re really sorry for this extra complication and we must emphasise it means some lines will not have trains on Wednesday until well into the afternoon. Please do check before you travel on the day.”
These are the rail lines and train stations affected:
– The Sheerness line affecting all stations between Newington and Sheerness-on-Sea– The Medway line affecting all stations between Newington and Faversham– All stations between Westenhanger and Ramsgate– All stations between Faversham and Ramsgate– All stations between Wye and Minster– All stations between Kearsney and Selling