Landslip at Gobowen impacts busy rail route into Shrewsbury

Transport for Wales said the landslip, at Gobowen, means that trains from Chester to Shrewsbury will be running via an alternative route - and will be making no stops inbetween.

It said road transport via coach would be available for the stations inbetween (Wrexham General, Ruabon, Chirk and Gobowen).

But the route is understood to be unaffected in the opposite direction - from Shrewsbury to Chester.

Transport for Wales and National Rail both said disruption is expected until the end of Monday, January 6.

The disruption was initially confirmed on Saturday evening, with the situation updated this morning.

Transport for Wales said: "Due to a landslip in the Gobowen area, the line from Wrexham to Shrewsbury is closed, in this direction only.

"Trains from Chester to Shrewsbury will divert via an alternative route, not calling at any intermediate stations. Road transport will be in operation for intermediate stations."

It added: "Trains from Shrewsbury to Chester will are expected to run as scheduled. Line is expected to be closed until at least end of day Monday. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

Last year a landslip near Oakengates in Telford caused major problems on the route between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton, closing the line for more than ten days.