Network Rail has completed a major coastal defence project in Kent, placing 18,000 tonnes of rock armour along a vulnerable stretch of coastline. The work aims to protect the railway line between Dover Priory and Folkestone Central from erosion and potential cliff falls.
The project, which concluded in early 2026, focused on a 200-meter section near the Warren between Folkestone and Dover. This area has been identified as at high risk from erosion, which threatens the stability of the tracks used by Southeastern and high-speed services.
Engineers used rock armour, large boulders designed to absorb wave energy, to reinforce the base of the chalk cliffs. This method is intended to slow coastal erosion and buy time for longer-term solutions. Network Rail stated the work was essential to maintain safe and reliable rail services on this critical route connecting London to the Channel Tunnel.
Further monitoring and potential future interventions are planned as part of a long-term strategy to manage the impacts of climate change and coastal erosion on the UK's rail infrastructure.
