PASSENGERS using the stretch of Hampshire railway line that was closed for more than a month are facing fresh delays.

The line between Fareham and Botley is currently closed as engineers are working to repair a broken rail at Fareham. A rail replacement bus service is being used until further notice.

The latest set of work comes just two days after the railway line was officially re-opened after a landslip at Botley saw it being closed for more than a month.

Engineers worked around the clock to repair the damage caused by the landslip, which is estimated to cost more than £5m.

Just hours after it was re-opened on Saturday, trains were delayed by up to 20 minutes after signalling problems.

A spokesman for Network Rail, said: “Regrettably we have had to bring a bus service back into operation temporarily this morning after a broken rail was discovered in the Fareham area.

"Trains are being diverted through the Southampton area, while intermediate stations on the line between Fareham and Eastleigh, including Botley itself, are being served by buses.”

Network rail expect the line to re-open this afternoon.