Work takes place to repair vital rail line following landslip

A landslip which has caused rail delays across the North West is set to be repaired by tomorrow.

Emergency repairs will continue tonight to shore up a railway embankment on the West Coast main line near Warrington.

Hundreds of tonnes of rock will be used to reinforce the embankment where the earth has slipped.

The wettest February on record made worse by Storm Jorge this weekend caused sodden ground to move at Dutton Viaduct near Acton Bridge.

As a result the southbound line of the viaduct has been closed to trains.

While the temporary repairs take place the railway will be closed in both direction.

If the strengthening work proves successful, its hoped both lines can reopen to trains by Wednesday.

When the line does reopen, it is likely a temporary speed limit will be put in place while engineers carefully monitor the situation.

Passengers are being advised to check before they travel with disruption expected for the next several days.

Tim Shoveller, managing director for Network Rail’s North West and Central region, said: “I thank passengers for their continued patience as we’ve been trying to make the railway safe again at Dutton Viaduct. We’re working to get passengers moving again as soon as we can.

“Our engineers have to stabilise the ground from any further movement before we can allow trains to run safely on the southbound line again. I’m sorry to passengers affected and I urge anyone travelling on the West Coast main line over the next few days to check www.nationalrail.co.uk as disruption is expected to continue.”

Some West Coast main line services will be diverted via Manchester or stop short at Crewe or Preston instead.