UK: Network Rail Issues Travel Advice During Blackheath Tunnel Closure

Network Rail has outlined a temporary timetable for passengers looking to travel via the Blackheath tunnel between Sunday 18 May and Sunday 27 July 2025, as the tunnel is set to close for a period of 10 weeks.

The closure, which will lead to a diversion via Greenwich, is due to the carrying out of 10 million GBP of essential repairs to the 175-year old tunnel.

The tunnel, which also saw a 10-week closure in 2024 for soot clearance, surveying and brick replacement, will see Network Rail replacing thousands of bricks, as well as install a new tunnel lining in order to prevent water from leaking into the tunnel.

Drainage systems will be rebuilt and essential track work will also be carried out, including the removal of a number of ‘wet beds’ – areas of waterlogged track that can lead to discomfort during travel.

David Davidson, Network Rail’s Kent Route Director, said:

We know there’s never a good time to close the railway, and that changes to services for a 10-week period is a long time.

We are carrying out the repairs over a series of 10-week closures because working in cramped and narrow tunnels is incredibly difficult. If traditional weekend working was used engineers would spend at least 50% of a weekend bringing materials and plant in and out of the tunnel, leaving limited time for actual work.

We are sorry for the inconvenience caused by the closure, but this is a long-term project and this will be the last closure until we are back in to finish over summer 2027.

When the tunnel is repaired with water damaged infrastructure replaced and the tunnel waterproofed, passengers will benefit from fewer delays, fewer speed restrictions and improved reliability.

The closure will see services between Blackheath and Charlton suspended for the repair period, with services between Dartford and Cannon Street (via Charlton and Lewisham) runing via Greenwich with additional stops at Westcombe Park, Maze Hill, Greenwich & Deptford.

Elsewhere, other services will be diverted along the Bexleyheath line, and whilst there are no plans for rail replacement buses, passengers have been advised that they will be permitted to use selected Transport for London bus routes at no extra cost.

Taxis will be provided for customers with accessible needs between Blackheath and Charlton.

Scott Brightwell, Southeastern’s Operations and Safety Director said:

We are working ever closer with our Alliance partner Network Rail to deliver better journeys, and these essential repairs will improve the safety and operation of the tunnel.

I want to thank customers for bearing with us during the closure and there are a number of alternative travel options.

We are running extra services on Woolwich line for connections to the Docklands Light Railway and the Elizabeth line

There are also extra services on the Bexleyheath line and your rail tickets can be used at no extra cost on some local bus routes. Full details are available on our website.