NETWORK Rail is urging passengers to check before they travel as the South West Trains main line between Alton and Farnham is likely to remain closed until May 9 because of a land slip at Wrecclesham.

The land slip was discovered on April 1 when specialist engineers carried out a track inspection and stabilised the embankment area on the Farnham side of Bentley. A speed limit of 20mph was imposed in an attempt to prevent further movement.

But on April 13, when the engineers returned to inspect the track, further subsidence had occurred and the speed limit was further reduced – to five miles per hour.

By evening, with a risk of heavy rain forecast overnight, the decision was taken to close the line as a precaution.

Since then Network Rail workers have been on site and over the weekend a clear programme of works was put in place to bring about the safe reopening of the line as soon as possible.

Stuart Kistruck, Network Rail’s director of route asset management, said: “We’ve now completed our ground investigations to understand what is going on underground and have started on site to clear vegetation, which will allow our machinery to operate safely.”

Having started work last Tuesday to stabilise the ground, Mr Kistruck said that his engineers would be working around the clock in a bid to safely reopen the railway and were “looking at all opportunities to bring forward the opening date”.

He expressed grateful thanks to passengers and neighbours “for their patience while we resolve the problem, and ask that all passengers remember to check before they travel.”

In the meantime, South West Trains will continue to operate replacement buses between Farnham, Bentley and Alton stations.

The first bus departs from Alton station, via Bentley village to Farnham station, at at 5.25am, and buses continue to operate at half- hourly intervals until 11.55pm. For the return journey, the first bus leaves Farnham station via Bentley village for Alton at 6.30am and the last bus at 1.10am.

Passengers should check timings on the South West Trains website as peak-time buses may operate at different times.

During this period train tickets will be valid for travel from other nearby South West Trains stations, at which car park season tickets for Alton and Bentley will also be accepted, where space is available.

It should be noted that work to extend Farnham station car park has been postponed until May 9, to allow passengers to park at the station while the emergency work ids being carried out on the line. The redevelopment work, which will add 170 extra spaces, was due to start on April 18.