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Landslip at Holmwood disrupts Southern rail services

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Network Rail staff working to clear the trackImage source, Network Rail
Image caption,

Network Rail staff have been working to clear the track

Southern rail passengers have faced continued disruption after a landslip.

All lines between Dorking, in Surrey, and Horsham, in West Sussex, have been blocked since Thursday evening.

Trains are unable to serve Warnham, Ockley or Holmwood stations and a replacement bus service has been in operation since 05:00 BST.

Disruption is expected until the end of the day as Network Rail engineers work to remove more than 100 tonnes of soil and debris from the tracks at Holmwood.

Network Rail said the embankment remained unstable and further slippage had occurred as debris was removed.

'Making progress'

An emergency response team went to the site on Thursday afternoon after a train driver reported a small embankment slip.

Initially one line was kept open, but both lines were shut after "further significant movement", Network Rail said.

A crane and other vehicles are being used to move the debris to the nearest access point more than half a mile away.

After that, the embankment will be stabilised.

Earlier, Network Rail said engineers were "making progress" but the line remained closed.

Image source, Network Rail
Image caption,

More than 100 tons of soil and debris is being removed

Southern rail said anyone travelling between Horsham and London should use alternative services via Gatwick Airport.

A spokeswoman apologised and said: "We encourage passengers to allow extra time for their journeys."

South Western Railway said it would accept Southern tickets between Dorking and Clapham Junction, while Tramlink said it would accept tickets between Mitcham Junction and Wimbledon.

Image source, Southern
Image caption,

Trains are unable to serve Warnham, Ockley or Holmwood stations following the landslip at Holmwood

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