Rail engineers have been racing to rebuild a severely damaged section of track between Hereford and Newport, after catastrophic flooding from the River Monnow left part of the railway hanging over a two-metre void. The washout occurred near a level crossing at Pandy, where the river burst its banks during a National Emergency and reached its highest recorded level.

The sheer force of the water was so powerful that it displaced several eight-tonne boulders that formed part of rock armour installed in 2021 as a resilience measure against extreme weather. Network Rail said the £4 million investment played a crucial role in preventing further destruction to the line and avoided a much wider collapse.

Efforts to repair the damage have been hindered by the scale of the flooding, with local roads also under water, complicating the delivery of specialist machinery and materials. Engineers have had to use articulated lorries to transport around 500 tonnes of ballast, essential for rebuilding the embankment beneath the tracks. So far, 150 tonnes have been laid, with another 300 tonnes still required.

More than 100 engineers and specialists have been working non-stop at the scene, and Network Rail and Transport for Wales are aiming to restore services by Tuesday 18 November, subject to progress and safety assessments.

The railway remains closed between Newport and Hereford, with only a limited rail service operating north from Hereford toward Shrewsbury. Replacement road transport is also limited due to the ongoing flooding, meaning there is no guarantee passengers can complete their journey.

Network Rail has thanked passengers for their patience, saying every effort is being made to reopen the line as quickly and safely as possible for both passenger and freight services.

Image: Network Rail