CARILLION, Britain's second largest construction firm, went bust on Monday with debts of about £1.5bn.

The company were working on a project to stabilise the embankment on the railway line that runs from Bristol Parkway north towards Yate and Gloucester at the time of the collapse.

On Tuesday, a resident reported seeing diggers and heavy machinery leaving the Carillion site, at Westerleigh Road, Yate near Chedworth.  They believe this may have been sub-contractors recovering their equipment.

A spokesman for Network Rail said that the company is endeavouring to keep the bankruptcy's impact on rail services to a minimum.

He said: “Carillion’s work for Network Rail continues for the time being as Network Rail works with the official receiver and special manager to ensure the continuity of its project work. 

"Passengers can be reassured that their services will be running as normal as Carillion's work for Network Rail does not involve the day-to-day running of the railway.

"Our aim is to ensure, as far as possible, that this news has as little impact as possible on our projects to grow and expand the railway network."