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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 2,000-tonne 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''Completely rebuilt'
Services which were due to run from Bristol Parkway will call at Patchway station instead, with a coach connection linking the two. 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.
He added there would be an hourly service from London Paddington to Swansea at 45 minutes past each hour running over an alternative route and not calling at Bristol Parkway but at Patchway instead, with road transport linking the two stations.
The London Paddington to Cardiff Central service operating at 15 minutes past each hour from London will not run although there will be an hourly train service from Swansea to London Paddington at 29 minutes past each hour.
These trains will run over an alternative route after Newport, adding up to 40 minutes to journey times.
A Network Rail spokeswoman added: "We've got engineers down there inspecting the site and looking to restore services as soon as we can."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. She attributed the main problem to the bad floods the region had experienced recently.
The company has been criticised for poor service, delays and overcrowding. "Poor conditions meant the bank was saturated and affected the area's signalling boxes.
"Some 40 miles of track, between Bristol and Swindon is affected by the problem.
"We're trying to clear the 2,000 tonnes by tomorrow (Friday) so some level of service can be restored. We have 40 engineers on site."