Delays on M2 and Southeastern trains as Storm Bert brings down trees in Kent
11:02, 23 November 2024
Passengers are facing delays and potential cancellations because of a tree blocking a railway line.
The obstruction on the line at Thanet Parkway means trains running between Canterbury, Dover and Ramsgate may be delayed by up to 30 minutes, cancelled or revised at short notice.
Train operator Southeastern says it expects disruption on the route to last until 11.30am.
The fallen tree was reported by a member of a public, and a railway signaller instructed a train crew to inspect the scene and confirm the blockage.
Southeastern says its trains are currently unable to run from Ramsgate to Dover Priory and to Canterbury West, while trains from Canterbury West and Dover to Ramsgate can still run but may be delayed while passing the affected area.
Passengers planning to travel on the affected route are being advised to allow extra time to complete their journey and check live timetable information before travelling.
Elsewhere in the county, the M2 London-bound is partially blocked due to fallen tree, with slow traffic from Junction 6 at Faversham to Junction 5 for Sittingbourne.
A weather warning is in place across Kent this weekend as the county is lashed by strong winds and rain from Storm Bert, with gusts as strong as 70mph predicted in some places.
A number of events have had to be cancelled because of the storm, with organisers opted against going ahead on safety grounds.
Despite the strong winds, ferry services from the Port of Dover remain unaffected.