A new signalling network on the Sidcup, Grove Park and Bromley North lines through Hither Green has come into use following a nine day closure.

Network Rail replaced the old 1970s equipment, which had become unreliable and difficult to maintain, with spare parts hard to find.

The work was planned over four days at Easter but had to be rescheduled and conducted over a longer period because signalling technicians couldn’t work together in confined spaces.

To make the most of the line closures, additional improvement work took place at closed stations and on closed lines. 

One of the biggest jobs when switching over to a new signalling system is taking out the old equipment before installing and switching on the new.

Here you see an old signal gantry which has been in place since at least the early 1970s being removed.

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Below, engineers are installing new points (part of the signalling system); the motors which power the switches and allow trains to cross tracks. 

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Below you can see resurfacing work in progress at Chislehurst station.

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