Train landslip: Repair work taking place this weekend
It's hoped some services can run from Weymouth to London next week
Work to repair a landslip in north Hampshire that's left the train line suspended in mid-air will take place this weekend.
South Western Railway (SWR) say they hope that will mean the return of some services from Weymouth and through Dorset, direct to London, albeit with severely reduced frequency.
At the moment, trains are only able to get as far as Basingstoke, with the line at Hook affected by the landslip.
Track and signalling changes will take place over the weekend, to increase the capacity of the lines that are still intact there.
Network Rail say this is also a 'short-term solution' as the permanent restoration of the embankment is likely to take a number of weeks.
How are services in Dorset affected?
Train services from Weymouth towards London will terminate at Basingstoke.
SWR is trying to get Rail Replacement Buses in place between Basingstoke and Woking, but they're asking customers to only travel if absolutely necessary through the area this weekend.
Claire Mann, Managing Director of South Western Railway, said:
“We are very sorry for the ongoing disruption due to the landslip at Hook on Saturday 14, which has meant a severely reduced service on one of the country’s busiest railway lines.
“We know how frustrating this week has been for our customers, particularly those in the Hook, Winchfield, and Fleet areas, with trains unable to stop at these stations.
“Our colleagues at Network Rail are working around the clock and their work over the weekend means we will be able to reinstate direct services from London to Exeter and Weymouth on Monday 23, albeit with a reduced frequency.
“Until these initial works by Network Rail are completed, we must urge customers to only travel if absolutely necessary between Basingstoke and Woking. We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding.”
Mark Killick, Wessex Route Director at Network Rail, said:
“I’d like to say how sorry I am for the disruption our customers are facing. We’re working flat out to fix the railway as quickly and safely as possible, and this weekend’s work will deliver big improvement in the number of trains that are able to run until the full repairs are completed.
“Thank you in advance to customers for their patience and to the people who live nearby while we carry out the repairs, they’ve been very understanding and supportive.”