Blackheath Tunnel Closes for 10 Weeks for Repairs

The Blackheath Tunnel, located in southeast London, has closed for 10 weeks for repair work. Opened in 1849, the tunnel is prone to leaks and water damage, which Network Rail reports caused 1,000 minutes of train delays last year.

Southeastern trains running between Charlton and Blackheath, which usually pass through this 1.5 km long tunnel, will be diverted until August 11, affecting around 4,000 passengers per week.

Network Rail states that the alternative would have been a year of weekend closures, causing significantly more inconvenience for passengers. Instead, Southeastern will add two extra trains per hour between Dartford and Cannon Street via Greenwich, with additional stops at Westcombe Park, Maze Hill, Greenwich, and Deptford.

Other trains will be diverted along the Bexleyheath line, where there will be five off-peak trains per hour and eight during rush hour. The Greenwich line will have six off-peak trains per hour, including Thameslink services, and an extra service during peak times.

According to Network Rail, the tunnel's brickwork is damaged due to the freezing and thawing of rainwater, which seeps through the ground into the tunnel. These leaks create wet conditions inside the tunnel, damaging the tracks and electrical equipment, leading to delays and speed restrictions.

Engineers will replace tens of thousands of bricks and install a new concrete tunnel lining to prevent water from leaking inside. Transport bosses claim that this work "will be crucial for the reliable running of the railway long into the future."