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Monday 19 Sep 2016

Passengers on move again after Watford tunnel reopens

Region & Route:

| National

| North West & Central

London Midland passengers were on the move again today through Watford tunnel after it reopened following last Friday’s land slip.

Two lines - one north, one south - were shut over the weekend as Network Rail engineers recovered two damaged trains and repaired the railway. 

Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, said: "I’m pleased to confirm today we have reopened the both the lines through Watford tunnel and trains are running again.

"Our orange army engineers made good progress over the weekend. They cleared all the slip debris off the tracks and removed the damaged trains from the tunnel. They also repaired the railway, including replacing 50 concrete sleepers, and welded in new sections of track."

London Midland’s managing director, Patrick Verwer, said: “I would like to apologise for the disruption over the last few days. I would also like to thank our passengers. Everyone has shown great patience and understanding while many responded to our appeal to delay journeys or take alternative routes. This made it easier for people who had no option but to use the reduced services while Network Rail colleagues repaired the track.”

The slip on the embankment at the north entrance to the tunnel was hit by a southbound train on Friday, causing some of its front wheels to come off the tracks.  Another train, which entered the tunnel heading north at the same moment, clipped the southbound train.