Engineers assess site of landslip on railway line

Engineers have begun shoring up a landslip which has closed a rail line linking Kent and Surrey.

The line between Redhill and Tonbridge had to close on 29 March due to a "safety inspection" of the track.

The line partially opened between Redhill and Edenbridge for the rest of the Easter weekend but has now closed in full for at least two weeks.

A Network Rail spokesperson said the landslip occurred in the Edenbridge area, at the Bough Beech embankment.

The spokesperson added in a statement that Network Rail was "hopeful" the line would only be closed for two weeks and re-open on 15 April to coincide with schools re-opening, but it could be longer.

Network Rail's director of engineering and asset management Mark Killick said: "Work has started by removing vegetation at the embankment on which the railway sits before the work starts properly."

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, he said: "This has been caused by one of the wettest winters we have had in the last 200 years. The embankment is still moving and is in a remote location. There are other ecological issues.

"There are a number of solutions available for us to get this fixed, but we need to pick the one that will be best for a quick fix and a long term solution - safety is our number one priority."

Stations that are affected by the closure are Tonbridge, Leigh, Penshurst, Edenbridge, Godstone, Nutfield and Redhill.

Rail replacement buses are in operation throughout the whole line, although passengers can also use their tickets to travel on services via London to reach their final destination.

Jenny Saunders, Govia Thameslink Railway’s customer services director, said: "Journeys will take longer so we’d advise customers to plan ahead and allow extra time. The latest information will be available on the Southern website.”

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