What’s happening?
Network Rail are carrying out major works to the Ore tunnel this October and November.
They will be improving the drainage and carrying out work to prevent water from seeping through the tunnel’s walls and damaging the equipment inside it. Sections of the tunnel’s Victorian brickwork will also be repaired. At the same time, 700 yards of track will be replaced.
Once this work is complete, it will mean a more reliable service with fewer delays.
To allow this work to happen, from Saturday 19 October through to Sunday 3 November the following changes to services will take place:
On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October:
Buses will replace trains all day on the following routes:
- Hastings – Ore – Three Oaks - Doleham (limited service) – Winchelsea - Rye
- Rye – Appledore (Kent) – Ham Street - Ashford International
From Monday 21 October to Saturday 2 November:
Buses will replace trains all day between:
- Hastings – Ore – Three Oaks - Doleham (limited service) – Winchelsea - Rye
Between approximately 07:30 and 18:30 a shuttle train service will run, calling at:
- Rye – Appledore (Kent) - Ham Street – Ashford International
Before approximately 07:30 and after around 18:30 replacement buses will run, calling at:
- Rye – Appledore (Kent) - Ham Street – Ashford International
On Sunday 3 November:
Buses will replace trains on the following routes all day:
- Hastings – Ore – Three Oaks - Doleham (limited service) – Winchelsea - Rye
- Rye – Appledore (Kent) – Ham Street - Ashford International
Download the network map (PDF)
The works have been timed to take place over this period as it coincides – in part - with when most schools in Kent and East Sussex have their half term holidays.
How will my journey be affected?
Journeys will take longer while this engineering work takes place, especially if you need to use a replacement bus.
Bus and train departure and arrival times will be different to the normal train timetable and may be earlier or later than your usual times.
Train times between Eastbourne and Hastings will also be different to usual during these works.
It is therefore really important to plan ahead and check the details of your journeys before you travel, including any connections with other services.
To find out how services to or from your station will be affected by these works and what alternatives options are available, click on the station below: