Updated: Rail services resume after bridge collapse (From Echo)

Updated: Rail services resume after bridge collapse

6:13am Thursday 29th May 2008

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RAIL services into London's Liverpool Street Station have resumed following a bridge accident.

Thousands of commuters endured travel chaos this morning after debris fell on to railway tracks in the accident on Wednesday night, leading to the closure of the station.

A National Express East Anglia train hit the debris but no one was hurt.

Passengers were evacuated from the trains.

The station remained closed during this morning's rush-hour, meaning that National Express East Anglia trains had to start and finish short of central London.

Andrew Chivers, Managing Director, National Express East Anglia said: "We would like to thank our customers for their cooperation and understanding during the disruption to services yesterday evening and this morning."

The affected bridge - GE19 - is just outside Liverpool Street station and was being worked on by engineering companies Balfour Beatty and Carillion on behalf of Transport for London (TfL).

Part of the new East London line which will open in 2010, the bridge had been constructed about a month ago and work was being carried out last night to move it into its final position.

A TfL spokesman said: "The contractors were jacking up the bridge. The jack collapsed and debris from the supports for the bridge fell on to the tracks. We are investigating the incident."

Services began to resume around 9.30am this morning.

WERE YOU AFFECTED LAST NIGHT? CONTACT THE ECHO NEWSDESK ON echonews@nqe.com or click Comment and leave a message

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