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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Landslip closes part of rail line | Landslip closes part of rail line |
| (40 minutes 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 was reported at about 1100 GMT near the Chipping Sodbury tunnel, and has closed a main 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. | 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. | Some trains between Bristol and Swindon could be cancelled for several days, although there is another line between south Wales and London in service. |
| 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. |
| 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 already been cancelled. |
| 'Completely rebuilt' | |
| Services which were due to run from Bristol Parkway will call at Patchway station instead, with a coach connection linking the two. | Services which were due to run from 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. | 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. |
| "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. | "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. |
| A Network Rail spokeswoman added: "We've got engineers down there inspecting the site and looking to restore services as soon as we can." | |
| 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. |