Southeastern has clsoed the Sidcup line for emergency repairs – here’s everything you need to know.

The line was closed at 9.30am for emergency repairs in the Sidcup area following a safety inspection earlier this morning.

Trains running via the Sidcup line are currently being diverted to the Bexleyheath line or cancelled whilst repair works are underway.

This may affect travel between the south east London stations of Lewisham, Hither Green, Lee, Mottingham, New Eltham, Sidcup, Albany Park, Bexley, Crayford and Dartford.

It is not known what time the line is expected to reopen, although the train company has said in a tweet that it hopes to do so this afternoon.

Southeastern has advised its customers that rail tickets can be used on London buses to complete the route at no extra cost.

Southeastern tweeted: “NEW: Due to a safety inspection of the track in the #Sidcup area Trains towards London on the Sidcup line will be diverted or cancelled Trains towards Northfleet and Dartford can currently still run on the Sidcup line.“

Paul Prentice, Media Relations Manager for Southeastern said: “A safety inspection of the track earlier this morning in the Sidcup area meant that Network Rail needed to carry out emergency repairs to the railway.

"This took place from 9:30 to around 11:30 this morning, meaning that the Sidcup line had to be closed while the work was carried out.

"In the meantime, trains will be diverted via the Bexleyheath line. While trains are now returning to normal, we expect delays until 12:30pm”.

“Customers who were delayed by 15 minutes or more are entitled to Delay Repay compensation – which can be easily claimed by visiting the Southeastern website”.