Tonbridge Bean

Train journeys from Tonbridge towards the coast could soon become more reliable, thanks to a ground breaking new project aiming to prevent landslips before they happen.

Network Rail has launched Project Thumper, a dedicated programme focused on the Tonbridge to Hastings railway line – a vital commuter and freight route running through Kent and East Sussex.

Built in the Victorian era on a stretch of Wadhurst Clay, the line has long been prone to landslips, with the earth beneath the tracks prone to shifting during periods of heavy rainfall. As climate change leads to more extreme and prolonged wet weather, the risks have only increased.

Over the past five years, landslips in the Southern region – including on the Tonbridge to Hastings line – have caused more than 319,000 minutes of delays, with serious consequences for both passengers and freight operators.

But Tonbridge could now be at the heart of the solution. Project Thumper – short for Tonbridge to Hastings Undrained Earthwork and Modernisation Programme and Engineering Research – is using cutting-edge technology to spot problems before they arise.

Engineers have created a detailed digital model of the route, combining LiDAR laser scanning, ground investigations and historical records. This has already uncovered more than 400 previously unknown risk areas. Crucially, the technology means issues can be prioritised and tackled before they cause delays or line closures.

Tonbridge commuters stand to benefit directly. “With the right data and the right partnerships, we can move from reacting to landslips to preventing them altogether.,” said Derek Butcher, Principal Geotechnical Engineer at Network Rail. “That’s better for passengers, better for the environment, and better for the railway.”

The project is also collaborating with the Bluebell Railway – a heritage line built on similar clay – to carry out real-world testing in a lower-risk environment. These experiments will inform future work across the Southern region.

With over £34,000 already saved through more efficient planning, Project Thumper is being hailed as a model for climate-resilient railway maintenance. And for Tonbridge residents who rely on the train every day – whether for work, school, or weekends away – the prospect of fewer unexpected delays is very welcome news indeed.

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