PASSENGERS on Chiltern Railways will have to add around an hour to their journey following the Gerrards Cross tunnel collapse.

Gerrards Cross Station has been closed and replacement services and buses are up and running. A massive car park has also been opened at Denham Aerodrome where 400 free spaces have been made available.

Chiltern Railways is advising passengers to travel from Denham station on direct services to London Marylebone. A shuttle bus service will operate between Denham Aerodrome and Denham Station in connection with train services.

Cath Proctor, managing director for Chiltern Railways, said: "My staff are working around the clock to make journeys as smooth as possible. We will provide regular updates to passengers until the line reopens."

Other train firms are also picking up the slack with Chiltern Railway tickets being accepted on alternate services by Virgin Trains, First Great Western Link, Central Trains, Silverlink Trains and London Underground. People travelling between the Midlands and London are advised to use Virgin Trains to and from Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International, Coventry and London Euston.

Replacement buses have been provided for services between Beaconsfield and Amersham, High Wycombe and Maidenhead, and Denham to West Ruislip for further travel to London. Passengers in High Wycombe and Beaconsfield will have to get a half-hourly service to either Amersham, Denham or Slough.