Train lines reopen after 'significant' fire damage

Train lines in Kent have reopened after being severely disrupted by "significant damage" to signalling cables caused by a fire in Rainham.

Southeastern says services could still be delayed, revised or cancelled, after the fire meant no trains could run between Sittingbourne and Gillingham.

Lines reopened this evening after the train operator previously warned that they could be closed until the end of Wednesday.

Disruption was still expected to last until the end of the day, but a full service is anticipated on Thursday morning, the train operator said.

During the closure, Southeastern said the only stations reachable by rail were Rainham and Newington.

Trains were running between Gillingham and London Victoria, but at a "reduced frequency".

Southeastern said services between Ramsgate/Dover Priory and London Victoria via Canterbury East were not running between Sittingbourne and London Victoria.

High-speed services between Faversham and London St Pancras International have been cancelled while Sheerness line services will run at a reduced rate, it added.

Trains from London Cannon Street to the Medway Towns will also not run on Wednesday evening between the 16:41 BST service leaving London and the 20:44 BST service arriving at Dover Priory.

Network Rail has been approached by the BBC for further comment.

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