Leicestershire: Bridge collapse in Barrow upon Soar causes rail chaos

The sudden collapse of a bridge in Leicestershire has caused heavy disruption to rail services between London and the East Midlands. The collapse at Barrow upon Soar, near Loughborough, has led to trains being cancelled or delayed on the routes London St Pancras-Nottingham-Leicester, and Leicester-Lincoln-Grimsby.

No trains are able to run between Leicester and Loughborough, while a reduced service is running between Leicester and London.

A National Rail spokesman said: "We are working to clear the track as quickly as possible and reopen the line; however, passengers are advised to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journeys."

The bridge's partial collapse is thought to have occurred in the early hours on Tuesday (2 August). Network Rail engineers are still working to clear the rubble from the tracks but said they didn't expect operations to resume quickly.

One resident of Barrow upon Soar said she and others had complained for years about the state of the bridge and claimed it was due to be closed for repairs this week.

"There was very obviously need for work to repair the bridge for years ... and local people have been reporting it," Cheryl Billson told the BBC. "I rode over it yesterday on my horse – and now look at it."

She posted photographs she took in March of the bridge which appeared to show part of the crossing's pavement subsiding.

For more information on delays and alternative travel arrangements, visit the East Midlands Trains or National Rail websites.