Urgent removal of crumbling bridge begins

Network rail Cracked base of a bridge over a railway track Network rail
The repairs and removals have led to reduced train services between Brookwood and Woking

Urgent work is under way to remove a damaged footbridge over a railway line in Surrey, Network Rail says.

The remaining parts are due to be removed between Brookwood and Woking over the weekend.

Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) are urging passengers only to travel on the line between Woking and Basingstoke if absolutely necessary.

Meanwhile repair work is due to take place after cracks up to 45m (148ft) long, 50cm (20inch) wide and 1m (40inch) deep were discovered on the railway embankment on the same stretch of line.

Network Rail says it is bringing in specialist equipment and machinery before starting work in the early hours of Monday morning to install a metal wall to prevent earth from slipping on to the tracks.

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