The East Grinstead line reopened on Monday 30 March after it was closed following Storm Ciara on 12 February.
The embankment, near Cookspond Viaduct in Surrey, started to slide after being hit by the heavy rains and winds of storm Ciara. Built in Victoria times, it simply didn’t meet modern standards and needed extensive work to make it safe.
Since then, no fewer than five further sites have suffered landslips on the route and Network Rail has been working with BAM Nuttall to repair the line.
Network Rail Southern Region’s managing director, John Halsall, said: “We are returning this railway to use at an absolutely crucial time, with key workers relying on us to get to their jobs.
“It’s been an incredible effort by everyone who has worked on the project to get so far so fast and I am so proud of their work, but we have to be realistic and admit the challenge we face.”
Steve White, Chief Operating Officer at GTR, which runs Thameslink and Southern services, said: “We would like to thank customers for their patience during this essential work. Network Rail really has pulled out all the stops to repair the landslips in this area and I applaud them for their efforts on behalf of the community and the railway.”
