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Landslip closes part of rail line Landslip closes part of rail line
(about 1 hour later)
A major landslip has disrupted First Great Western services between London Paddington and South Wales. A major landslip has disrupted First Great Western services between London Paddington and south Wales.
The slippage, near the Chipping Sodbury tunnel, has closed the line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway stations. The slippage was reported at about 1100 GMT near the Chipping Sodbury tunnel, and has closed a main line between Swindon and Bristol Parkway stations.
The landslip has damaged signal boxes, but not the line itself.
Some trains between Bristol and Swindon could be cancelled for several days, although there is another line between south Wales and London in service.
'Coach connection'
Passengers are being warned of short notice alterations, cancellations and delays of up to 30 minutes.Passengers are being warned of short notice alterations, cancellations and delays of up to 30 minutes.
First Great Western engineers were working to restore services, but warned that the affected line was expected to remain closed at least until Saturday. A number of services between London Paddington and Cardiff Central have already been cancelled.
A number of services between London Paddington and Cardiff Central have been cancelled. Services which were due to run from Bristol Parkway will call at Patchway station instead, with a coach connection linking the two.
Services for Bristol Parkway will call at Patchway station instead, with a coach connection linking the two. On Thursday afternoon, First Great Western spokesman Richard Smith, said the line needed to be "completely rebuilt", including stabilisation work, new foundations, and new track and signalling.
First Great Western said the line needed to be "completely rebuilt", including stabilisation work, new foundations, and new track and signalling. "Until we can get engineers to the site to see the damage, we won't know what caused it, but it has covered several boxes that control points," he said.
The incident happened on the day a rail consumer watchdog released a survey putting the train operator bottom of a passenger satisfaction league table.The incident happened on the day a rail consumer watchdog released a survey putting the train operator bottom of a passenger satisfaction league table.
The company has been criticised for poor service, delays and overcrowding.The company has been criticised for poor service, delays and overcrowding.