RAILWAY lines between Basingstoke and Winchester have reopened following a landslip.

Rail passengers faced major delays this morning after a 'do not travel' warning was issued. 

Delays are now expected to last until 8.30pm tonight.

Network Rail engineers cleared the affected lines.

People were advised not to travel between Southampton and Basingstoke whilst the incident was dealt with.

It is believed extreme rainfall caused the landslip in the Wallers Ash area, between Winchester and Micheldever, after 5.30pm on Tuesday.

A large amount of soil and debris was deposited across one of the two tracks, which blocked the line to South Western Railway (SWR) services in both directions.

READ MORE: Travel chaos as flooding and landslide blocks all railway lines - live

Speaking on the closures, Alex Foulds, SWR’s projects and change director, said: “We’re very sorry to ask customers not to travel between Southampton and Basingstoke following the landslip.

“We have explored all options to provide services through and around the affected area, however with a limited number of buses and only a small number of trains able to be diverted, we have to ask customers to avoid travelling.

“Once again we’re very sorry for the disruption and would advise customers on the rest of the network to check before travelling tomorrow.”

Following the reopening, there is a speed restriction on one of the two tracks, with disruption expected until the end of the day.

A very limited rail replacement bus service operated between Winchester and Basingstoke while the landslip was cleared.

Only a limited number of trains between London Waterloo and Weymouth, and between London Waterloo and Portsmouth via Basingstoke, were diverted.

Passengers were advised to be aware of likely delays and cancellations. 

• A very limited rail replacement bus service operated between Winchester and Basingstoke

• A limited number of services between London Waterloo and Weymouth were diverted via Havant

• A limited number of services between London Waterloo and Portsmouth Harbour via Basingstoke were diverted via Havant

• Services between Bournemouth and Winchester continued as normal

• Services between Bournemouth and London Waterloo were expected to be cancelled