SUDDEN temperature changes have caused track being laid for the £5.2 billion Channel Tunnel Rail Link to buckle in places. The problem is reported to have delayed a train carrying sleepers near Maidstone and stranded another near Ashford.

However, the developers of the high-speed line the say the tracklaying programme has not been delayed by the problem. A spokesman for the CTRL project said: "Rail which has been laid but not ballasted is susceptible to buckling during the construction as the temperature changes.

"Completion of the tracklaying and proper maintenance will ensure that temperature change will not cause similar problems in the future. CTRL uses the same track proven reliable on high-speed routes throughout Europe."