Blackheath tunnel closes for 10 weeks for repairs

A railway tunnel in south-east London has closed for 10 weeks as repair work gets under way.

The Blackheath tunnel, opened in 1849, is prone to leaks and water damage, which Network Rail says has caused 1,000 minutes of delays to passengers in the past year alone.

Southeastern trains between Charlton and Blackheath, which would usually use the mile-long tunnel (about 1.5km), will be diverted until 11 August, affecting about 4,000 passengers per week.

Network Rail says the alternative "would have been a year of weekend closures causing significantly more inconvenience for passengers".

Southeastern will instead run two extra services each hour between Dartford and Cannon Street via Greenwich, stopping additionally at Westcombe Park, Maze Hill, Greenwich and Deptford.

Other services will be diverted along the Bexleyheath line where there will be five off-peak trains an hour and eight during rush-hour.

There will be six off-peak trains per hour on the Greenwich line, incuding Thameslink services, and a extra service at peak times.

Network Rail says bus drivers will accept tickets on the 89, 54, 380 and 202 routes, although journeys will take 15 minutes longer.

Brickwork has become damaged due to the freezing and thawing of rainwater, which filters through the ground into the tunnel, according to Network Rail.

The leaks create wet conditions inside which damages track and electrical equipment, causing delays and speed restrictions, the transport body says.

Engineers will replace tens of thousands of bricks and install a new concrete tunnel lining to stop water leaking into the tunnel, which transports bosses claims "will be crucial for the reliable running of the railway long into the future".

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