New timetables have come into force for rail passengers across south east London and north Kent.

Southeastern and Southern have introduced Autumn timetables to prepare for the “leaf fall season”.

Thousands of tonnes of leaves fall onto the railway tracks across the UK each autumn, forming a slippery layer when the leaves are compressed by passing trains.

Delays are caused as drivers must brake early to ensure they stop in time and accelerate more gently to avoid wheel spin.

Southern said: “A small number of weekday morning peak services will start their journeys a few minutes earlier to ensure that they arrive at their final destinations on time."

The railway company’s new schedule begins today, will run until December 11 and can be downloaded here.

Southeastern introduced its new timetable yesterday (October 4), which be found here.

Each year, Network Rail deploys up to 55 special trains and 80 teams who work 24/7 to keep tracks clear of leaves.