Basingstoke-Winchester landslip: Rail line reopens

The landslip in Wallers Ash, between Winchester and Micheldever, happened on Tuesday

A landslip that blocked a rail line between Winchester and Basingstoke has been cleared, Network Rail has said.

South Western Railway (SWR) issued a "do not travel" warning on Wednesday morning after rainfall caused the landslip on Tuesday evening.

The incident in Wallers Ash, between Winchester and Micheldever, happened shortly after 17:30 BST.

On Wednesday afternoon, Network Rail said services could resume but some speed restrictions were in place.

A spokesman said: "The up line towards London has opened at line speed while the down line has opened with a temporary 40mph speed restriction while we monitor the land when first services run through."

SWR said the "knock-on impact" would mean some disruption would continue until the end of the day because "trains and their crews will be displaced".

A limited replacement bus service had been operating between Winchester and Basingstoke while repairs were being carried out but SWR said "due to the ongoing national shortage of bus drivers" there was not enough to meet demand.

The track has been cleared and 80 one-tonne sandbags put in place to stabilise the cutting

Analysis

Paul Clifton, BBC South transport correspondent

You know it's a bad day when the railway issues a "do not travel" warning.

This has happened before: I filmed a near-identical landslip after heavy rain at Wallers Ash tunnel only three years ago.

Coming on top of the Hook landslip and the Nuneham viaduct closure already this year, this is a much less serious event.

But passengers will see an increasing pattern of infrastructure failure and disruption that gradually undermines trust.