Rail disruption between Woking and Basingstoke after landslip
Passengers have been urged not to travel by train between Woking[1] and Basingstoke after a landslip in the local area. Cracks stretching up to 45 metres in places have forced Network Rail to put 20mph restrictions in place until emergency repairs can be carried out.
Efforts to fix the problem will only add to the travel chaos anticipated next week. The landslip repairs mean services will be significantly reduced on the Woking to Basingstoke line between Friday, December 8 and Sunday, December 10.
On top of this, industrial action will mean far fewer trains throughout the whole of Surrey on Wednesday, December 6 and Thursday, December 7. Find out more about the strikes here[2].
However, Network Rail and South Western Rail say the work needs to take place urgently, to prevent a “potentially dangerous landslip.” If they don’t act now there are concerns that cold and wet weather makes it “highly likely” something will go wrong.
The exact problem was discovered after tiny sensors in the ground detected movement in a slope next to the St John’s Hill Road overbridge between Brookwood and Woking. On closer inspection structural experts have found cracks that in some places get up to 45 metres long, 50cm wide and a metre deep.
A bird’s eye view of the cracking which is a metre deep in places (Image: Network Rail)
Speed restrictions are currently in place to keep passengers and staff safe, meaning trains can’t go faster than 20mph. These slower journeys have already started, and will continue to disrupt passengers while the strikes hit at the beginning of next week. During this time a metal wall will be built at the base of the slope, made up of 170 individual piles.
While the work is taking place this the line will only be operating two out of four tracks. Any trains travelling through the area will be guided by hand signals, meaning South Western Railways can only run three journeys an hour in either direction. This is down from the 16 trains an hour which normally run on what is one of the busiest parts of England’s railway network.
Workers look at the landslip near the bridge (Image: Network Rail)
What’s impacted:
Brookwood:
Friday, December 8 – Sunday, December 10:
Trains from London Waterloo won’t call at Brookwood. A rail replacement bus will operate between Woking and Brookwood.
London Waterloo – Basingstoke (calling at Weybridge, Woking, Brookwood, Farnborough Main):
Friday, December 8:
One train per hour calling additionally at Weybridge[5] in both directions, with some additional morning peak services.
Saturday, December 9:
One train per hour, retimed to depart London Waterloo at quarter past the hour (XX15)
Sunday, December 10:
One train per hour, calling additionally at Weybridge in both directions.
London Waterloo – Portsmouth Harbour via Basingstoke (calling at Woking and Farnborough Main)
Saturday, December 9:
One train per hour. Trains to London Waterloo will terminate at Farnborough. Services from London Waterloo will start at Basingstoke. Trains will not call at Fleet.
Sunday, December 10:
No services due to planned engineering works
Individual routes can be planned on the National Rail website[6]. The additional disruption caused by strikes is explained here.[7]
Matt Pocock, Network Rail Wessex route director said: ““There is never a good time to close any part of the railway but the safety of our customers and railway colleagues is our number one priority. It’s imperative that we act now to prevent any further landslip, which would cause even longer delays.
“We have worked closely with our colleagues at SWR to identify the least disruptive time to do this and next week provides an opportunity with industrial action reducing the number of services that will be in operation. However, unfortunately there will be severely reduced services as a result.”
It is expected that even more work will need to be carried out to address the landslip problem in the future.
Get the latest Surrey traffic and travel updates direct to your inbox for free here.[8]