Crumbling Woking rail bridge causes delays for passengers

  • Published
crumbling bricksImage source, Network Rail
Image caption,

The damaged footbridge is on the line between Brookwood and Woking

Train passengers have faced long delays after a footbridge over a railway line was found to be crumbling.

Engineers have been carrying out safety checks after discovering "structural defects" on the pedestrian bridge near Woking.

The line between Southampton and London was affected, with trains cancelled or travelling more slowly through the area.

Network Rail apologised and said it was removing the damaged bridge.

It expects to have the railway reopen for the first trains on Monday morning.

This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post by Network Rail Wessex

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post by Network Rail Wessex

A spokesperson for Network Rail apologised and said the bridge and railway were closed immediately to keep everyone safe.

"We've been able to reopen the railway with trains travelling much slower than usual for safety reasons, but this means the train service is severely disrupted through the area."

The line will be closed at 19:00 GMT so engineers can remove the bridge.

Image source, Network Rail
Image caption,

A thorough inspection has been carried out, Network Rail says

South Western Railway passengers have been advised to check their trains before travelling on Monday.

The firm has been offering reimbursements to those getting taxis between Woking and Alton or Southampton Central.

The damaged bridge is a few hundred metres from a landslip which Network Rail plans to stabilise from 8 December.

Image caption,

Many passengers at Basingstoke were unable to travel

Follow BBC South East on Facebook, external, on X, external, and on Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external.

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.