No trains will run between Dartford and Lewisham until at least Thursday morning - due to a 200 tonne landslide near Barnehurst.
Southeastern services on the Bexleyheath line have been cancelled all day today, affecting passengers travelling to and from places such as Welling, Eltham, Kidbrooke and Blackheath.
Network Rail have confirmed no services will use the line between Dartford and Lewisham until at least Thursday morning (January 14), after around 200 tonnes of trees, soil and debris slid onto the railway tracks at 10pm last night.
Because of a landslip at Barnehurst, there will be no service on the #BexleyheathLine today https://t.co/6XZlrDfQhj
— Southeastern (@Se_Railway) January 12, 2016
Network Rail’s route managing director Alasdair Coates said: "Passengers have been very patient and I am sorry for the disruption they have endured.
"We have a plan in place to bring the railway back into use in time for rush hour on Thursday morning, and meanwhile we are working to stabilise the sides of the railway and stop any further landslips.
"This shows the challenges we face in operating a railway that was designed and built by Victorians, while we are dealing with more rain, more often than ever before."
As well as damaging the tracks, the landslide also dislodged signalling equipment, which will need to be repaired before trains can run.
Commuters have been sharing their frustrations on Twitter after arriving at stations to discover services had been cancelled for the rest of the day.
'Strong sunshine' causes more delays to trains through Lewisham
Passengers have been advised by Southeastern to use their tickets on London buses between Dartford and Lewisham to travel to stations on the Sidcup and Woolwich line.
A spokesperson said: "There will be a limited replacement bus service running between Lewisham and Dartford via Bexleyheath in both directions however you are advised for a quicker journey to use alternative stations via Sidcup and Woolwich."
TOP STORIES
@Se_Railway Turned up at Barnehurst. No signs. No staff. Terrible service. How did you expect us all to find out there were no trains?
— Harry Knibbs (@harry_knibbs) January 12, 2016
@Se_Railway no announcement at the station or from your site. You are really just as crap as last year. Well done on being consistent!!
— βΙακεγ (@_StephenStrange) January 12, 2016
Thank you so much to the very kind lady who gave my mum & I a lift to Albany Park station as no trains on the #BexleyheathLine @Se_Railway
— Louise Aldridge (@louisealdridge) January 12, 2016
Southeastern has advised commuters who are delayed by 30 minutes or more that they are entitled to a refund.
Bexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett has written to Southeastern complaining about the lack of communication with train users over the slip.
He also claims, in a letter posted on his website, that this is "not an isolated incident" as a similar landslide happened at Barnehurst two years ago.
Bexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett
Mr Evennett said: "I have written to Network Rail to complaint about the lack of information and action, given that this occurred nearly twelve hours ago.
"I have also raised concerns about this not being an isolated incident as a landslide occurred two years ago.
"I have asked what action was taken to prevent another landslide and whether a trackside safety assessment had been carried out before last night."
Have you been affected by the landslip? Email fiona.simpson@london.newsquest.co.uk
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