Emergency works to stabilise Fareham railway landslip completed
But there are more Network Rail works to come next week
Emergency works to stabilise a railway cutting near Fareham have been finished.
The line between Fareham and Eastleigh was closed last week as nearly 290 steel nails, each 82 feet long, were drilled into the slope to prevent landslips.
Matt Pocock, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, said:
“After the recent severe weather, our teams spotted land movement which meant we had to act quickly to prevent a much worse and disruptive landslip.
“I’m really sorry that this emergency closure had to take place so close to works already planned for the February half term next week, but the safety of our customers and railway colleagues has been our priority.
“I’d like to thank customers and local residents for their continued patience and understanding while our teams complete the work needed stabilise the slope as quickly and safely as possible so we can get customers moving again.”
More works to come
But there's a warning of more disruption to come next week (from Monday 12th February), as major track renewals take place.
That means there'll be buses replacing trains on routes that would call between Eastleigh and Havant until Friday 16th February.
The track renewal will take place at Fareham, with parts of the rail being upgraded on four platforms at Portsmouth Harbour.
Peter Williams, South Western Railway’s customer and commercial director said:
“We’re very grateful for our customers’ continued patience. While last week’s closure between Eastleigh and Fareham came at short notice, it was vital that landslip prevention work was carried out.
“Next week’s closure for planned improvements will once again mean that rail replacement bus services will run and train services will be amended, so customers should check before travelling.”
Jenny Saunders, Govia Thameslink Railway's customer services director, commented:
"I'm sorry this work will severely affect our Southern customers on the route west of Havant and in the Portsmouth & Southsea to Portsmouth Harbour areas.
"We'll do everything possible to keep people moving through rail replacement buses but journeys will take much longer and I'd urge you to plan ahead at nationalrail.co.uk and allow plenty of extra time."
How will trains be affected?
The London Waterloo to Portsmouth via Eastleigh services on South Western Railway will terminate at Eastleigh.
The Southampton Central to Portsmouth stopping services will not run, with buses once an hour from Eastleigh to Hedge End, Botley, Fareham, Portchester, Cosham, Hilsea, Fratton, Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour.
There'll also be a bus once per hour between Southampton Central and Havant, calling at Swanwick, Fareham, Portchester, Cosham and Havant.
Buses will also run once per hour between Southampton Central and Portsmouth Harbour calling at St Denys, Bitterne, Woolston, Sholing, Netley, Hamble, Bursledon, Swanwick, Fareham, Portchester, Cosham, Hilsea, Fratton, Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour.
A bus service will operate every 15 minutes between Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour.
On Great Western Railway services, buses will replace trains between Southampton Central and Portsmouth Harbour.
Southern Railway will have buses instead of trains between Southampton Central and Havant, and between Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour.