Carlisle-Newcastle rail line set to re-open after landslip

The Northern Rail line between Prudhoe and Hexham is likely to remain closed until the end of the month after a landslip last week.

The rail operator have said that work is continuing to rebuild the embankment.

The landslip was between Corbridge and Riding Mill in the Farnley area.

A replacement bus service is running between Prudhoe and Hexham.

Network Rail contractors are onsite and working to repair the damage.

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A section of the Newcastle to Carlisle rail line will be closed for weeks after a major landslide, brought on by the heavy rains.

The slip carried earth, rocks, shale and trees onto the line, east of Corbridge. The problem has grown over the course of the day, as water continues to pour down from land above.

The route is shut between Hexham and Prudhoe. Shuttle buses are in operation between the two stations.

Engineers face the task of clearing the area before rebuilding the embankment. Network Rail estimates its teams will have to remove 50,000 tonnes of material from the site.

For more pictures from the scene, watch Helen Ford's report here:

Network Rail says it will have to remove 50,000 tonnes of earth, rock and other material that have slid down onto the tracks near Corbridge since yesterday morning.

A second landslide on the trainline between Newcastle and Carlisle means part of the route will be closed for several weeks. Unstable ground is preventing the repair work from starting.

Heavy rain caused 140 tonnes of earth to slide onto the West Line near Hexham in Northumberland on Tuesday afternoon. This was cleared and normal service resumed yesterday morning.

A second landslip around a mile to the east of the first occurred later in the morning causing the line to be closed again. Network Rail say the earth is still moving stopping them from starting the clean up job.

The line will remain open for Northern Rail passengers travelling between Carlisle and Hexham and between Prudhoe and Newcastle, with shuttle buses in operation between Hexham and Prudhoe.

Rob McIntosh, route managing director for Network Rail, said:

Disruptions continue to the Newcastle to Carlisle rail line after a second landslip on the Tyne Valley line in two days.

On Wednesday workers had to clear 120 tonnes of rubble from the line at Hexham.

Replacement buses were put to take Northern Rail passengers between Prudhoe and Hexham.

After the line re-opened on Thursday morning, Network Rail was forced to close it again when there was a second landslide between Hexham and Corbridge.

This is the latest information from Northern Rail:

This is the latest statement form Northern Rail, regarding services on the Tyne Valley line after a second landslip in two days.

"The route between Prudhoe - Hexham is closed until further notice following a landslip between Corbridge – Riding Mill in the Farnley area. Network Rail engineers are onsite and accessing the situation. Trains will run Carlisle - Hexham - Carlisle and Newcastle - Prudhoe - Newcastle. A rail replacement bus will operate between Prudhoe and Hexham. Customers are advised to check before they travel and allow more time for their journey. We would like to apologise to our customers for the disruption this will cause. Real time journey information can be found by visiting www.journeycheck.com/northernrail or by Tweeting our team @northernrailorg"

Network Rail say they don't know how long it might take to clear the Tyne Valley rail line, between Newcastle and Carlisle, after a second landslip in the Hexham area in two days.

120 tonnes of rubble and trees slid onto the track between Hexham and Corbridge this morning - just hours after the line had re-opened following yesterday's landslide in the same area.

There are replacement buses between Prudhoe and Hexham.