Trains are running again following an earlier fault with a river bridge.

Southeastern was forced to suspend its service between Sheerness and Sittingbourne because the Kingsferry Bridge was stuck in the up position this morning (Thursday).

Engineers have been on site all morning working to lower the bridge and as of 2.15pm had managed to do so.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “We are now carrying out tests to check that it can be raised and lowered normally.

“They found a power supply problem to the relays which control the brakes. It meant the brakes could not be released and engineers had to trace back through the circuit to find the root cause.”

The rail and road link failed this morning while it was raised to allow ships to pass underneath.

The Sheerness Southeastern line was fully suspended but as of 2.40pm trains were being rescheduled for the afternoon.

The first trains to run will be 3.23pm from Sittingbourne to Sheerness and 3.42pm in the other direction.

A replacement bus service will be running and stopping at all stations until then.

There were delays on the roads between Queenborough and Swale and on Sheppey Way, with traffic being diverted via the A249 Sheppey Crossing.

Passengers are being advised to check their journey before travelling and to allow extra time.

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