Rail network: afternoon update

Published on : Saturday, December 28, 2013

Mid-German-S-Bahn-network-150x150Rail services are beginning to recover from last night’s storms but there remain some major challenges to overcome on the network.Hundreds of Network Rail engineers have been working to remove trees from lines, repair landslips and monitor flooding.

Several routes, including Kent, had delayed starts this morning so their lines could be examined in daylight before trains could run.Robin Gisby, managing director of network operations, said: “This has been one of the most challenging periods we have faced in recent times and our engineers have been doing all they can to get things moving again.

“There is an improving picture nationwide but passengers still need to check with their operators before setting off. We thank them for their patience in what have been very difficult circumstances.”A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which speaks on behalf of the rail industry, said: “We’d like to apologise to passengers whose journeys over the festive period have been affected by the bad weather of the last few days. Strong winds have damaged overhead wires and brought down trees onto lines.

“Hundreds of rail staff have been working round the clock to clear tracks but some services have started later than planned to ensure passengers can complete their journeys safely. As the bad weather passes, many services are getting back to normal but delays are still likely on some routes so passengers should check with their operator or National Rail Enquires before they set off.”

The most serious impacts on the network are a temporary closure until 2pm of the northern end of the West Coast Main Line, north of Oxenholme, to repair damage to the overhead power supply. In addition, the line from London to Portsmouth via Haslemere is blocked by four landslips near Liphook. We are assessing the severity of those slips and we do not expect this line to reopen this weekend. In addition, there is another serious landslip blocking the railway at Ockley between Horsham and Dorking, and again we are assessing the damage.

There are temporary speed restrictions in place on the East Coast Main Line north of Doncaster until later today, which will result in some lengthened journey times.

Source:-Network rail

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