Gravesend station will receive a £19 million upgrade, improving capacity at the site.

Major construction work will take place between December 22nd and January 6th and a final completion date is set for May next year.

Once finished, a new platform will be available that can accommodate trains with up to 12 carriages. During this time, the station will be closed completely.

Network Rail's route managing director for Kent Fiona Taylor said: "I apologise for the disruption this essential upgrade will cause but can assure passengers that the end result will be a better station and that we are doing all we can to minimise the impact of the work as much possible."

This is part of the organisation's wider push to carry out major engineering and building work during the quieter, Christmas period. Some £80 million is also being spent on improving the track between London, the south coast and Gatwick Airport. The latter will have a new platform added ahead of additional services in February.