A partially collapsed bridge has halted rail services between Nottingham and Leicester and is causing major disruption on journeys to London.
No trains are running between Loughborough and Leicester because of the damage at Barrow Upon Soar, and the route is also part of the Nottingham to St Pancras line.
There are no direct trains to London St Pancras and any station north of Leicester and the closure is expected to be in place all day.
Passengers leaving Notts are being advised to instead head to Birmingham or Grantham stations for services to the capital and journeys could be extended by as long as 90 minutes.
Railway Bridge at #BarrowonSoar collapsed. No trains between #Leicester#loughborough@networkrail@EMTrains@bbcemtpic.twitter.com/IkWKjFegQ5
— Helen McCarthy (@HelenMcLive) August 2, 2016
In a statement East Midlands Trains said: “Passengers with tickets dated today, may use their ticket to travel tomorrow, Wednesday, August 3, instead.
“Alternatively passengers affected may use tickets today on CrossCountry TransPennine Express and Northern between Sheffield and Doncaster, Virgin Trains East Coast between Doncaster and London Kings Cross and Virgin Trains and London Midland between Birmingham New Street and London Euston.”
Pictures posted online show a pile of earth and rubble on the railway line, which appears to have tumbled from a road bridge above.
#EMTUpdate: At present we do not expect the line to open between Loughborough and Leicester on Tuesday 02 August. Please see our website >>
— East Midlands Trains (@EMTrains) August 2, 2016
Network Rail engineers are working to clear the blockage and Tweeted to apologise to passengers for any inconvenience caused.
