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Monday 24 Sep 2018

Trains continue to run during embankment repairs on Chiltern line

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Network Rail is carrying out repairs on the Chiltern main line near Bicester after a stretch of embankment was found to have moved.

The slight movement, detected during a routine inspection, is thought to have been caused by recent rainfall following a very hot, dry summer.

A 180-metre-long stretch on track, south of Bicester station, is being dug out and replaced with stone to keep the railway safe and reliable for decades to come. More than 10,000 tonnes of stone and material is being used to rebuild the embankment. The work is expected to be completed this weekend.

For safety reasons a temporary speed restriction is in place while the repairs are carried out. This is adding approximately four minutes to Chiltern Railways journeys in and out of London Marylebone.

James Dean, chief operating officer for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “These repairs are vital to help keep the railway through Bicester open and safe for passenger and freight trains. They have been carefully planned to minimise disruption. We will complete this work as quickly and safely as possible.”

Alan Riley, customer services director at Chiltern Railways, said: “I’d like to thank our customers for their patience whilst this work is taking place.  We’re working closely with Network Rail and will keep our customers updated on the progress.”  

Customers wanting the latest travel information are advised to visit chilternrailways.co.uk or nationalrail.co.uk