Crumbling Woking rail bridge causes delays for passengers

Train passengers have faced long delays after a footbridge over a railway line was found to be crumbling.

Engineers have been carrying out safety checks after discovering "structural defects" on the pedestrian bridge near Woking.

The line between Southampton and London was affected, with trains cancelled or travelling more slowly through the area.

Network Rail apologised and said it was removing the damaged bridge.

It expects to have the railway reopen for the first trains on Monday morning.

A spokesperson for Network Rail apologised and said the bridge and railway were closed immediately to keep everyone safe.

"We've been able to reopen the railway with trains travelling much slower than usual for safety reasons, but this means the train service is severely disrupted through the area."

The line will be closed at 19:00 GMT so engineers can remove the bridge.

South Western Railway passengers have been advised to check their trains before travelling on Monday.

The firm has been offering reimbursements to those getting taxis between Woking and Alton or Southampton Central.

The damaged bridge is a few hundred metres from a landslip which Network Rail plans to stabilise from 8 December.

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