Another landslip is causing disruption, this time on the Chiltern main line from London Marylebone to Aylesbury via Harrow-on-the-Hill and Amersham.

The slip, at Stoke Mandeville, is the latest in a series of earthworks problems which have affected trains in Kent and on the West Coast Main Line recently. Another slip has closed the railway which connects Bradford Forster Square with the Ilkley line, and the only station on this link, at Baildon, is expected to be closed until 18 March.

Engineers from Network Rail closed one line north of Stoke Mandeville two days ago, in reaction to a track defect. An inspection of the area has now revealed that the embankment is moving.

Network Rail said some 5,000 tonnes of material has slipped along a 20 metre section of the embankment after persistent heavy rain had weakened the earth beneath it.

Emergency repairs will involve installing 120 specialist nine metre ‘soil nails’ to stabilise the area.

To complete the work Network Rail engineers will close both tracks between Aylesbury and Amersham from 1 to 4 March, and buses will replace trains between Amersham and Aylesbury Vale Parkway.

Infrastructure director Adam Checkley said: ‘I’m really sorry to passengers and local people affected by the landslip at Stoke Mandeville which is causing disruption to trains between Aylesbury and London Marylebone via Amersham.

‘Our major repairs will allow us to safely reopen the railway as quickly as possible and I want to urge passengers to check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel advice.’