Trains between Leamington Spa and Banbury could remain suspended for at least two weeks following the landslip that closed the line on Saturday.

The incident, which happened at about 3pm on Saturday, left around 350,000 tonnes of earth dangerously close to the railway track.

Network Rail specialist engineers are currently assessing the landslide – which is still slowly moving – to determine the scale of the problem.

Remote sensing techniques are being used to monitor the landslide and work will begin to clear the debris as soon as it is safe to do so.

Mark Carne, chief executive of Network Rail said: "This is a massive incident and I am making sure we have all the resources we need to tackle this problem.

"Our safety precautions ensured the railway was shut before there was any risk to passengers. Looking forward, our focus is on making sure the site is safe before our engineers move any of the affected earthworks.

“We know just how important this key route between Birmingham and London is, for both passengers and freight.

“This is a very deep cutting built back in Brunel's days which we have been repairing for some time.

“I can assure passengers whose journeys are being disrupted that we will do our utmost to restore their services as soon as possible.

"However, it may take several weeks to stabilise it before we can start some services."

Bus replacement services are currently  running between Leamington Spa and Banbury and a revised service is in effect between Banbury and London Marylebone, Birmingham and Leamington Spa, and Stratford upon Avon and Leamington Spa.

Passengers using Chiltern Railway and Crosscountry services should check the National Rail website before travelling at www.nationalrail.co.uk

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