It’s going to take you that bit longer to get to work by train - all because of a few leaves on the line.

From today Southeastern will be adding two or three minutes to journey times to take account of slippery conditions caused by Autumn leaf-fall.

The revised timetable affects the following mainline services in Kent:

• Ashford International to London via Maidstone East

• Margate to London via Dover, Folkestone, Canterbury West, Ashford International, Staplehurst and Paddock Wood

• Dover Priory to London via Canterbury or Ashford International

• Ramsgate to London via Faversham, Sittingbourne, Gillingham and Chatham

• Hastings to London via Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks

• Hayes to London via Elmers End and Catford Bridge

Sarah Boundy, Southeastern’s head of communications, said: “We realise it won’t be popular and it’s likely there will be some criticism about longer journey times and just wanting our punctuality statistics to appear better. But we think it’s right to be honest and upfront and say that despite our best efforts we will need to increase some journey times by a few minutes to make sure passengers arrive at the time the timetable says they will.”

These timetable changes, which are shown in red on notice boards and pocket timetables, will be in place until December 13.

For more information visit www.southeasternrailway.co.uk