Repairs to the Ore Tunnel are due to finish this weekend, with the rail line between Rye and Hastings re-opening on Monday, November 4. The line has been shut for two weeks with buses replacing trains and a shuttle service during the day between Rye and Ashford.
Pictures taken during a community visit show the scale of the repairs to the tunnel.
Video courtesy of the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership.
Representatives from the Marshlink Community Rail Partnership were escorted through the tunnel by Network Rail on Friday, October 25. Suzanne Horgan from the Friends of Ore Station and John Spencer from the Friends of Winchelsea Station joined Marshlink line chair Kevin Boorman, Marshlink line officer Paul Bromley, and 1066 line officer Andy Pope.
As well as repairs to the 1,402-yard-long tunnel, work has also included replacing 700 yards of track, repairs to culverts and drains, and survey work to prevent landslips.
Kevin Boorman said it was a great opportunity to see the work. “It is clearly a massive undertaking, with a lot of staff, plant and machinery on site. It is really good to see such investment on the line; although disruptive to travellers and those living, working and studying in the area this work will help guarantee the future of this vital rail link.”
Image Credits: Southeast Communities Rail Partnership .