Rail disruption for South Western Railway passengers as fire near track on Ambury Lane in Burton shuts lines between Southampton Central and Bournemouth
A FIRE next to the railway at Burton has shut all lines between Southampton Central and Bournemouth, causing major disruption for local rail users.
The alarm was raised shortly before 2pm today (Wednesday), and firefighters from Christchurch arrived at Ambury Lane to find three separate fires engulfing an electrical cable.
Trains were stopped so the emergency near the tracks could be contained.
South Western Railway announced the disruption was expected to last until the end of today.
“Whilst the fire brigade work to tackle this issue, the power to all lines in the area will need to be switched off,” a spokesperson for the rail firm said.
“This means that all lines are currently blocked.”
This adds to the day-long disruption already caused to passengers by a rail track circuit failure between Brockenhurst and Beaulieu Road – a week after it last happened.
During the fire disruption, SWR passengers’ tickets are being accepted on Southern services between London Victoria/Clapham Junction and Portsmouth Harbour/Southampton Central.
They can also be used on First Bus services 10 between Weymouth and Dorchester, X50 between Weymouth and Wareham, X51 between Weymouth and Dorchester, and X54 between Wareham and Weymouth.
Bluestar is also accepting them on services 1 between Winchester, and Southampton, 2 between Southampton and Eastleigh, 6 between Southampton, and Lymington; and on 8, 9, 11 and 12 between Southampton and Totton.
Tickets can also be used on Morebus services X1 and X2 between Lymington and Bournemouth; 1A, 1B and 1C between Bournemouth and Christchurch; M1 and M2 between Bournemouth and Poole; 8 and 9 between Poole and Hamworthy; 16 and 17 between Bournemouth and Poole; 30 between Wareham and Weymouth; 33 between Bournemouth and Christchurch; 40 between Poole and Wareham; 119 between New Milton and Lymington; and 120 between New Milton and Lymington.
Due to the level of disruption, passengers travelling between Basingstoke and Weymouth can source their own taxis and claim through the SWR website.
They will need to provide full contact details, the time and date of journey, the stations they travelled to and from, a detailed description of the series of events that took place, and copies of their train ticket/s and taxi receipt.
Unused tickets dated today between Basingstoke and Weymouth can be used for valid journeys tomorrow (Thursday).
An SWR spokesperson said: “For further information or onward travel advice please speak to a member of staff or use a station help point.
“We are very sorry for any delay that this may cause to your journey.”
Anyone delayed as a result of the disruption can view SWR’s compensation policy at tinyurl.com/34aanxd6
Passengers can make comments about their travel experience by calling 0345 6000 650 or visiting tinyurl.com/53hf7k2u
