Friday 13 Feb 2015
Transport Secretary visits Harbury landslip to see progress
- Region & Route:
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP has visited the Harbury landslip to see the work Network Rail is doing to reopen the line between Banbury and Leamington Spa.
On Saturday 31 January, 350,000 tonnes of earth and rock slipped down the embankment close to the entrance of the Harbury tunnel, built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1847. The line has been closed since the landslip occurred.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP said: “I regret rail passengers are still being inconvenienced by this serious landslip, but Network Rail’s main priority is to re-open the line as quickly as possible and when it is safe to do so.
“I have seen how hard Network Rail engineers are working to resolve this situation, and train operators have told me they are doing everything possible to give passengers up-to-date information and to keep them moving. My officials are closely monitoring the situation and will offer whatever support is required.”
Network Rail Chief Executive Mark Carne said: "Our priority is to reopen the line between Leamington Spa and Banbury as quickly as possible. Progress has been made and we have removed more than 30,000 tonnes of earth from the site. However with the landslip being made up of around 350,000 tonnes, there is still much to do.
"Passengers can be assured that we are using all available resources, and working around the clock, to reopen this railway safely. I thank passengers for their patience and apologise for the inconvenience caused."
The key route links Birmingham to London Marylebone and Birmingham with the south coast. More than 50 freight trains and 19,000 people on 150 passenger trains use the line every day.
Chiltern Railways and CrossCountry trains are affected and buses replace services between Leamington Spa and Banbury.
Network Rail cancelled its planned closures of the West Coast main line in February for improvement works to ensure passengers can continue to travel between Birmingham and London while the landslip is resolved.
Passengers should check with their train operator or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information.
Notes to editors
The cutting forms the approach to Harbury Tunnel and is excavated to depths of up to 30 metres through inter layered mudstone and limestone.
Network Rail has been carrying out stabilisation work after a much smaller landslide elsewhere on the site on 14 February 2014. This work was underway when the slope failed at 2.30pm on Saturday 31 January. No one was injured when the landslide happened.
Network Rail is working with local landowners to gain access and plan the safe removal of materials. Up to 350,000 tonnes of earth and rock will need to be removed.
This line carries long-distance services for Chiltern Railways and CrossCounty Trains, as well as substantial freight services.
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