 Worse was to follow a few months later when the decision was made to close all stations on the line to passenger traffic as from 3 August 1953.In 1959, the branch was singled and the platform buildings at Southfleet were demolished along with those at neighbouring Longfield.Following the withdrawal of freight services at Gravesend West station in March 1968, the line was cut back to a point approximately 1100 yards to the north of Southfleet (as far as a bridge over the A2), the track beyond that point being lifted to sever the physical connection with Gravesend.