South Eastern Railway deploys flood warning camera technology to improve resilience at high-risk locations

New systems will help railway make faster and more informed decisions to help keep trains moving.

South Eastern Railway is trialling new flood warning camera technology at five high-risk locations to help keep trains running safely and reliably during severe weather.

The solar-powered cameras, supplied by Vision Link - a company already working with the Environment Agency and Network Rail - will provide live visual monitoring of track and drainage conditions before, during and after adverse weather events. The technology will support track and drainage teams in making faster, more informed decisions and ultimately keep trains moving.

The five trial locations - Wadhurst, Hildenborough, Lower Sydenham, Sevenoaks and Selling Tunnel - were selected based on historic flooding incidents and their impact on train performance. In October 2024, flooding at Wadhurst alone caused over 4,700 minutes of delay and required multiple infrastructure repairs.

Cameras have also since been installed at Stonegate.

Each site will be equipped with a dual-camera system, accessible via web browser or mobile app. The cameras offer 24/7 monitoring and can send early warning alerts, helping teams respond proactively to rising water levels and potential drainage issues.

The technology also supports South Eastern Railway’s wider strategy to keep trains safely moving by enabling remote, real-time assessments of high-risk sites. During severe weather, live camera feeds allow engineers to monitor water levels and drainage performance in real time -helping avoid unnecessary line closures. This means teams can make more accurate decisions, prioritise their response, and focus resources where they’re needed most. By reducing the need for routine site visits, the cameras also free up capacity to tackle maintenance backlogs and improve overall operational resilience.

Will Shepherd, Senior Network Delivery Manager at South Eastern Railway, said: “This technology gives us real-time insight into what’s happening on the ground, allowing us to prioritise our response and keep trains moving safely. It’s a smart, scalable solution that supports our wider strategy for climate resilience and operational efficiency.

“What excites me most is that the cameras don’t just help us react to flooding, they give us the insight to act before it happens. By spotting when the risk of flooding is increasing, we can intervene early and reduce the chance of disruption.

“Above all, it’s about doing the right thing for our passengers. By improving how we monitor and respond to flooding, we can avoid unnecessary disruption and keep services running - even in challenging conditions. Our teams are committed to making every journey as safe and reliable as possible, whatever the weather.”

The cameras were installed in the autumn, following successful demonstrations and site assessments. The trial will inform future decisions about wider rollout and additional flood monitoring features, such as catchpit sensors and flood level trackers, with another six flood warning cameras expected in the near future.