TRAINS have been suspended between Brockenhurst and Bournemouth while police deal with a concern for welfare on the tracks.

Passengers and motorists are facing hours of delays around New Milton, with no trains until 8pm at the earliest.

Police were said to be negotiating with a man in his 30s on a road bridge over the tracks.

It is believed he came down shortly before 4.50pm, more than five hours after the drama started.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “We were called an incident to a report of a vulnerable man on the bridge over the tracks at the station. All the trains have been stopped in the area.”

The B3058 Station Road has been closed in both directions and trains are no longer calling at Brockenhurst or Bournemouth.

Passengers travelling to Isle of Wight Festival, Rod Stewart's concert in West End and royal birthday celebrations have all been affected.

Trains have been cancelled until 8pm. National Rail said replacement buses have been ordered but are yet to be confirmed.

There were queues of some 100 people outside Bournemouth Railway Station being directed to taxis by rail staff. Travellers say no rail replacement bus services have appeared in the past hour.

Anita Jones and her sister are travelling from Poole to see Rod Stewart at the Ageas Bowl.

"We have been waiting over an hour, it is frustrating, she said.

"She is not very well and has had to go and sit down."

Chris and Judy Warran are tavelling to London from their home in Weymouth.

"We have been queuing for about an hour, he said.

"It is very frustrating, although they are doing a good job here.

"You would think they would have a contingency plan and get some coaches here.

"Everyone is fairly cheerful though."

Emergency services were first called at 11.40am.

A spokesman for Network Rail confirmed they are speaking with the British Transport Police regarding the incident but could make no comment on the incident itself.

Passengers can travel between Weymouth and Bristol Temple Meads via Yeovil Pen Mill and Westbury in both directions.

They are advised to leave extra time and check their route before travel.