Trains have been cancelled due to staff shortages on a branch line which officially reopened earlier after a week of repairs.


The line between Brockenhurst and Lymington Pier in Hampshire closed on 26 October to replace almost a mile (1.6km) of track.

Previously, Network Rail said services had resumed, although South Western Railway (SWR) said no trains were running due to a lack of staff.  In a later update, SWR said trains might be cancelled or revised until 19:00 GMT.



SWR also said it had booked rail replacement buses from 15:45, although the train departures website, external sampled at 13:30 suggested that services were running normally.

The line will be closed again from 21 December to 6 January 2025 for improvements to the rail viaduct over Lymington River.

Speaking about the week-long track repairs, Network Rail director Mark Goodall previously said: “We appreciate passengers’ patience during this period and are sorry for any inconvenience caused by the work.  This maintenance was crucial for the continued safe and reliable operation of the Lymington branch line."

SWR has been approached for comment.

The 5.5-mile (9km) branch line runs through the New Forest, connecting the main line at Brockenhurst with Isle of Wight ferries at Lymington Pier.