Trains disrupted after 'significant' fire damage

Train services in Kent have been disrupted after a fire caused "significant damage" to signalling cables in Rainham.

Southeastern said there would be no services between Sittingbourne and Gillingham until "at least" 11:30 BST, with disruption expected to last until 14:00.

The train operator said "urgent repairs" were being carried out and would continue throughout the morning.

It added that when the line does reopen, services will continue to be disrupted as trains are moved back into their timetabled positions.

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

Services will run between Gillingham and Victoria to a reduced frequency, it added.

The train operator said high-speed services between Faversham and London St Pancras International were cancelled, along with some Sheerness line services.

It added that work was ongoing to source replacement buses between Faversham, Sittingbourne and Gillingham.

Network Rail and Southeastern have been approached by the BBC for further comment.

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