The rail line between Ashford and Hastings has reopened following a nine-week upgrade to provide more reliable journeys for passengers.
The main element of the work focused on strengthening Ore tunnel, in addition to improving the drainage and repairing lining inside to prevent water seeping through, Network Rail said.
Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s route managing director for Kent, said:
“We thank people for their patience over the last nine weeks. We have carried out a lot of improvements during this time which we hope will deliver a better train service for passengers in the long term.”
Network Rail engineers also scheduled a wide range of other works to take place at the same time to ‘reduce further disruption in the future and allow better services for passengers in the years to come’.
Works included renewing the track through the tunnel and around the Ore area; ¾ mile of track between Rye and Winchelsea; and around one mile of track between Ashford and Ham Street.
Three sets of points were also refurbished as well as the replacement of rail-over-road bridges at Doleham and Three Oaks.
