Trains back running through Feltham

But passengers relieved to be returning to their normal commute on Monday morning were left frustrated by cancelled trains and delays of up to half an hour as the service bedded in.

All trains on the London Waterloo line were cancelled last week after a bridge over the River Crane on the southern edge of Hounslow Heath was damaged when heavy rainfall caused the river to swell.

The small, temporary loop around the damaged area of track runs through the former Feltham marshalling yard and over a culvert that already existed.

Richard O'Brien, Network Rail's route director for Wessex, said: "Once we had established the level of damage the flood water had caused, we put all our effort into getting train services running as quickly as possible. The solution we've developed will allow passengers to make their journeys safely and with minimal disruption while we carry out the full repairs."

Andy Pitt, managing director of South West Trains, added: "We apologise for any disruption passengers have experienced over the last week and would like to thank customers for their patience during what has been a challenging time.

"While there is still extensive repair work to be carried out on the bridge, the solution we have in place will ensure our customers can get back to normal and complete their journeys with minimal disruption."