Rail services disrupted due to collapsed bridge

A bridge in Barrow upon Soar has collapsed, causing major rail disruptions between the East Midlands and London.

Train passengers travelling between London and Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, are facing major delays after the sudden collapse of Barrow upon Soar bridge in the early hours.

These services have been cancelled, and replacement buses are in place, with East Midlands Trains advising passengers to check before travelling and to take alternative routes where available. It said the closure of the line would affect all of its services north of Leicester including to and from Chesterfield and Sheffield.

Severn Trent said a burst water main caused the collapse of the bridge. This stopped water supply to homes in the area temporarily.

Images courtesy of Leicester Mercury

Work was carried out by Network Rail throughout the early hours of the morning to remove Debris.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Our teams have been working on site since the early hours to make the bridge area safe and restore train services following the partial collapse of Grove Lane bridge near Barrow upon Soar.

“A full investigation will take place into the cause of the collapse, but our priority today is to return rail services as soon as possible although disruption is likely to last all day.”

According to residents of the village near Loughborough, one side of the bridge had been sinking for several years.

The crossing was due to be shut this week for repairs.

Local resident, Cheryl Billson said: “There was very obviously need for work to repair the bridge for years … and local people have been reporting it.”

No trains were running beneath the bridge at the time of the incident.

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