MORE repairs are likely on a troublesome railway line which has collapsed for the third time in six months.

In what is turning into a recurring nightmare for some rail passengers, there were fresh disruptions on the Worcester to Hereford line at Colwall station after a hole opened up in the rock ballast supporting the metal track sections.

The same problem held up rail services when it first occurred in June, and for a second time in September, as previously reported in your Malvern Gazette.

Then last Thursday another hole was reported by train drivers.

Services were stopped, but after an inspection by Network Rail engineers services were allowed along the stretch but under a 50mph speed limit.

In September, Network Rail engineers dug out a section of the stone ballast to uncover what was on that occasion the culprit – a broken underground water pipe.

Repairing the pipe at the time engineers said they were confident it was a “permanent fix”

but the problem has now re-occurred.

In this latest appearance, heavy rainfall fell in the hours before the hole emerged.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “There may have been a further collapse of the drainage pipe under the track at Colwall station.

“Engineers have surveyed the section and are doing further investigative work, which may need more work.

“The hope is any further work will be able to be carried out overnight and at the weekend.

“It’s an ongoing problem that’s not been solved – hopefully the work we now do will lead to a solution.”