13.03.14
Further landslip delays repair work at Whatlington
Repair work to rebuild the damaged railway embankment at Whatlington, which has left train services unable to run between Battle and Robertsbridge since early February, has been delayed due to a “further movement of the landslip”.
Network Rail said it had hoped to have the repair work completed last week, but because of the further subsidence additional strengthening work is now needed before trains can run safely.
Fiona Taylor, Network Rail's route managing director for Kent, said: “This has been a very difficult time for everyone using this stretch of railway and we appreciate passengers’ patience while we do the work that is needed.
“Despite extensive surveying and expert work we were disappointed that the ground around the landslip moved again. This area is still not safe and we have to undertake more detailed in depth ground investigations to determine why this happened.”
Additional independent engineering expertise has been brought in by Network Rail and contractor Murphysto investigate and determine the causes of the continued ground movement, which is affecting the substantial repairs put in place and preventing the line from reopening.
“We know that passengers will be frustrated by this but we want to assure them that their safety is our upmost concern and we are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this serious problem and put in place a safe and resilient embankment for the Hastings line,” said Taylor.
The landslip at Whatlington is one of three significant landslips to have disrupted services on the Hastings line recently, with repairs already completed at Stonegate and Battle enabling trains to run along the line, with the exception of the section between Battle and Robertsbridge. Rail replacement bus services will continue to operate between these stations until further notice.
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