Collapsed culvert leads to rail line closure

An eight mile (13km) section of railway line has been closed because of a collapsed culvert under the track.

Network Rail said the collapse between Church Stretton and Craven Arms in Shropshire was likely to cause disruption until the end of Friday.

Train services between Shrewsbury and Llandrindod and between Hereford and Shrewsbury have been replaced by buses, a spokesperson said.

They added it was not safe to run trains along the affected area of track and that engineers were working to repair the culvert.

Rachel Heath, their operations director for the region, said it was unclear how much work needed to be done and how long it might take.

She added it was a large job and it was difficult to work out what had caused the damage.

Rail users were warned that the bus services could add extra time to their journeys.

Tickets could be used at no extra cost on a number of alternative routes, Network Rail's spokesperson said.

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