Network Rail has begun work to repair a stretch of railway near Dover.

The £44.5 million project involves replacing a badly damaged viaduct with a new structure before trains can run again on the Dover to Folkestone railway.

The railway has been closed since Christmas Eve when increasing damage was discovered on stretch of track above Shakespeare Beach.

The new 235-metre long viaduct will be supported on 134 concrete columns sunk into the beach. It will be designed to last 120 years and will be protected by rock armour.

Work to protect the existing structure and cliffs has been underway since the start of the year.

So far, Network Rail and principal contractors Costain have installed over 375 metres of sheet piling to protect the 750 metre sea wall, driven into the shingle to pin more than 25,000 tonnes of rock armour on the beach.

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MP for Dover and Deal Charlie Elphicke said: "This is a very big project and it will cost more than £40m. The works will take a long time. I completely understand how difficult this has been for rail travellers. Yet once the works are complete, we will have a more resilient railway line."

Network Rail's Steve Kilby, who is leading the project, added: "The railway at this location was originally built on a timber viaduct and our modern, concrete viaduct will follow the same principles – although it will be hidden behind a wall of rock sea defences. We will also put a new footbridge back where the old one was, so people can continue to enjoy Shakespeare beach.

"In addition to rebuilding the railway, we are also defending almost 750m of the sea wall with more than 90,000 tonnes of rock – the same weight as two modern cross-Channel ferries."

Network Rail added it is hoped the railway will be reopened in December.

(LM)