The collapse of the Tesco tunnel at Gerrards Cross could lead to the closure of the rail line for weeks, according to rail infrastructure body Network Rail.

A Network Rail statement released this week said it would be a “number of weeks before the line reopens”. The route is between London Marylebone and Leamington Spa.

The collapse could lead to Tesco facing a bill of millions of pounds as it took the construction risk on the scheme, which was to build a store above the rail line. The contractor on the job was Jackson Civil Engineering which itself could face claims from the supermarket chain.

Robin Gisby, Network Rail director of operations and customer services, said every effort was being made on the clear-up operation. He said: “They are doing everything they can to clear the site and get the railway reopened as quickly as possible.”

Tesco has publicly apologised over last Thursday’s incident, which saw around 20 metres of a 320-metre long tunnel being built over the tracks collapse.

Source

QS News