Network Rail is continuing with work to reopen the Newcastle to Carlisle railway line after a landslip caused significant damage to the route.

Heavy rainfall in recent weeks caused drainage to become overwhelmed and led to the land collapse near Corbridge in Northumberland.

Approximately 25,000 tonnes of earth will be excavated and removed from the site at Farnley Haugh to repair the landslip.

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Engineers said they plan to reopen the line in three to four weeks, subject to weather conditions.

Network Rail route MD, Rob McIntosh, visited the site yesterday, 14 January.

He said: "The team had to divert the water which was feeding the slip and make sure it had stopped moving before they could start work. They have also been liaising with Historic England to protect the three Roman forts and possible Roman road which are buried in the fields above the landslip. 

"This week they have removed the trees from the slope and are making preparations to begin the job of carefully removing the slipped earth and shoring up the embankment to prevent it from moving again in the future."

(LM/MH)