Trains are running once again between Farnham and Alton after a landslip at Wrecclesham forced an emergency closure of the line last month. (April 2016)
Following the line closure on April 13, Network Rail engineers have been working round-the-clock to shore up the embankment.
It was originally thought the line could reopen as soon as April 20, but Network Rail revised this back to May 9, also causing a delay on works to extend the car park at Farnham railway station.
Works over the early May bank holiday weekend, however, saw it completed by Tuesday (May 3) when the line was fully reopened - a full six days ahead of Network Rail's revised schedule.
Heavy rain was believed to have destabilised a line-side embankment, which initially led to trains running at a vastly reduced speed before the full closure was implemented.
Other works completed over the bank holiday weekend included replacing a "key track crossing" in the Weybridge area.
John Halsall, Network Rail's route managing director, said: “It’s quite remarkable our engineers have managed to re-open the Farnham to Alton line almost a week early, when you consider the scale of the landslip and the work that was required just to make the site accessible and safe for working.
"Two-and-a-half weeks ago this was just an empty field - but now we have a fully operational site compound working day and night to get this problem sorted.
“I’m also delighted we have delivered another bank holiday weekend of upgrades that will make a real difference to passengers across the south, providing them with better, more reliable journeys.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to all of our line-side neighbours and passengers for their tremendous patience while we have upgraded the railway, particularly those at Wrecclesham, whose patience and understanding has been fundamental to us completing this job so quickly.”
