Urgent work underway after landslip on railway line

A landslip, reported on Friday, December 1, created cracks of up to 45 meters long and 50cm deep near Brookwood in Surrey.

Tiny sensors in the ground, known as remote condition monitoring, detected movement in a 100-metre-long slope next to the St John’s Hill Road overbridge.

Trains are now manually signalled through, driving past at 20mph on only two of the four-track lines.

READ MORE: Landslip leaves cracks in railway line between Basingstoke and Woking

Network Rail Wessex route director Matt Pocock said: “I’m sorry for the disruption that is being caused to services. I understand that there is never a good time to close the railway and so I’m really grateful for people’s patience and understanding while we work to stabilise this cutting.

“Keeping the railway safe for our customers and colleagues is our number one priority, so it is imperative that we act as soon as possible to reinforce this embankment and prevent much more serious landslips from happening.”

Network Rail engineers have been working to install 170 10-meter-deep steel piles into the base of the embankment to reinforce it.

“They need to install 170 of these piles to create a steel wall that is going to reinforce this bank and prevent material from slipping onto the railway creating a potentially much more dangerous landslip,” Mr Pocock continued.

SEE ALSO: All trains cancelled after engineers discover structural defects to bridge

Closures and disruption on the line are expected to continue until Sunday.

Mr Pocock continued: “My promise to passengers is that we’ll keep you updated on progress and I would encourage you to continue checking before you travel using SWR or the National Rail website.

“I’d like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience and understanding whilst we undertake these critical works to keep the railway safe.”

Work is also underway to remove the damaged footbridge over the railway line, with the remaining parts due to be removed over the weekend.