Network Rail is reminding passengers to check before they travel as the railway line between Farnham and Alton is likely to remain closed until Monday 9 May following a landslip at Wrecclesham.
Network Rail’s Orange Army has been on site since Wednesday evening assessing the impact of the landslip and at the end of last week observed that the site was continuing to deteriorate further. Following additional investigations over the weekend, Network Rail has developed a clear programme of works to reopen the railway safely for passengers as soon as possible.
South West Trains will continue to operate replacement buses between Farnham, Bentley and Alton stations. For more information on these and to plan your journey, passengers should visit the South West Trains website.
To reduce the inconvenience to passengers as far as possible, South West Trains is postponing work to extend Farnham railway station’s car park until Monday 9 May. This will allow passengers to continue to park at the station while emergency work takes place.
“We’ve now completed our ground investigations to understand what is going on underground and started on site to clear vegetation which will allow our machinery to operate safely. We’ll be starting work to stabilise the ground today (Tuesday, 19 April).
Our Orange Army will be working around the clock until we have restabilised the ground, so that we can safely reopen the railway, and we’re looking at all opportunities to bring forward the opening date.
I’d like to thank passengers and our neighbours for their patience while we resolve the problem, and ask that all passengers remember to check before they travel,” said Stuart Kistruck, Network Rail’s director of route asset management.
Network Rail’s Orange Army will at times be working 24 hours a day on site. Once the bank is stable, engineers will begin testing ahead of reopening the line.
(Source: Network Rail)
