THE West Coast Main Line south of Rugby will reopen tomorrow after Network Rail engineers spent more than a fortnight repairing a landslip at Hillmorton junction.
Trains were diverted via Northampton for 17 days while the engineers reconstructed an embankment 10 metres high and 40 metres wide, used 10,000 tonnes of stone to improve drainage, laid new foundations and installed special pins to prevent any future movement.
The problem is thought to have been caused by very heavy rain during Storm Christoph, and the line has been restored two days ahead of schedule.
West Coast South route infrastructure director Ellen Wintle said: ‘I’m really proud of my team for working all hours to get this vital section of the West Coast main line secure. Because this landslip was spotted early we were able to control the damage and carry out repairs quickly, reducing the length of time passengers and freight would be disrupted.’
Over the coming months the new embankment will be replanted so that it blends in to the landscape again.