Terror arrest man found on tracks

The railway line was searched by police with dogs

A man has been arrested under the Terrorism Act after being found walking along a railway line in Kent.

The 35-year-old man was discovered on tracks at Samphire Hoe in between Folkestone and Dover on Thursday.

He was arrested at about 1100 GMT and is being questioned by police who seized some of his possessions.

The line, which is part of a domestic route from Folkestone to Dover, was closed until 1730 GMT for police to search the area but nothing was found.

'Full security check'

Eurotunnel and Eurostar said its services were not affected by the incident.

A section of the railway line had been closed by police while officers with dogs with air support services were used to search the area.

David McCann, Kent Police assistant chief constable said at 1730 GMT: "I am happy with this operation and can reassure the public there was no threat to the security in their area."

A full investigation into why the man was on the live line is being carried out, police said.

A Kent Police spokeswoman said the man was still being held in police custody and was being questioned.

Trains on the line run from Dover to Folkestone and travel through a tunnel under chalk cliffs.

Replacement buses

The line is close to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link but its track was not affected.

A spokeswoman for South Eastern Trains, which runs services from London to the Kent coast, said there could be considerable disruption for passengers on Thursday evening.

She said: "The latest information we have is that the line will be shut until about 1800 GMT this evening.

"We have got buses running between Folkestone and Dover at the moment.

"From 1600 GMT there will be quite a lot of disruption and delays for commuters coming out of London if it remains shut until 1800 GMT."

The incident happened between Folkestone Central and Dover Priory Stations.