Train delays between Hull and Doncaster 'to last until June'
Train passengers are facing another "16 to 18 weeks" of disruption on the Hull to Doncaster line because of a landslip at Hatfield, Network Rail said today.
The problems began on Monday, February 11, when a spoil heap at Hatfield Colliery slid on to the tracks and severely damaged the line at Stainforth.
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The damaged railway tracks at Stainforth. Picture: Network Rail
Services between Goole and Doncaster have been replaced by buses and delayed by up to an hour. Other trains have been diverted.
Network Rail said today its engineers were now beginning the "slow process" of removing spoil.
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Work has been delayed until now because the heap was still moving.
Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: "I want to thank passengers and our freight customers for their patience in this difficult time.
"In recent days it has become apparent that the damage to the railway is a lot worse than we originally thought and the repair work will be more complex.
"Clearly our priority is to get rail services running again as quickly as possible but we need to do so safely.
"The complexities of this job mean that it will take 16 to 18 weeks to complete, approximately until the end of June. However we will not be in a position to confirm this timeline until more extensive investigations have been completed in the next few days.
"We will do everything possible to reduce the time it will take to get the railway back.
Mr Verster said Network Rail was "working closely with train operators" to reduce disruption for passengers.
Richard Allan, of Northern Rail, which operates the majority of local services, said: "I’d like to thank everyone for their continued patience as this essential work is carried out and the line returned to us as soon as possible."
8 Comments
by Foxache
Friday, March 01 2013, 12:54PM
“@Mark_Hull_65
You're right, it is Selby. My bad.
I'll re phrase it - has anyone at Network Rail had the sense NOT to schedule the repairs at Selby until the Goole route is fully re-opened.”
by PeterAnlaby
Friday, March 01 2013, 12:28PM
“Mark_Hull_65 - it said on Radio Humberside this morning that the work at Selby railbridge will go ahead during the summer holidays, irrespective of whether the Hatfield-Stainforth repairs are complete. This could lead to Hull being totally cut off from the South of England by rail.”
by David_Nivea
Friday, March 01 2013, 11:33AM
“Delays until June?
Blimey, I hope that the buffet trolley is well-stocked.”
by Mark_Hull_65
Friday, March 01 2013, 10:35AM
“@Foxache...
Isn't it the Selby swing bridge that's due to be closed? I can't imagine they'd go ahead with that until this problem is sorted out.”
by VicMay
Friday, March 01 2013, 10:29AM
“Bulldozers and JCBs could have all that rubbish levelled and cleared back enough to pose no further threat in a week. It would cost a fair penny but it could be done. Then you bill the company that caused it in the first place.”
by Foxache
Friday, March 01 2013, 10:19AM
“Vicmay,
The difference in Japan was that it was a short, single event, whereas this land slip is still moving.
Once it has stopped the trackbed can be re-built and retaining walls etc. constructed, but it is pointless to do anything now as it could move before the concrete has chance to set. There is also a significant risk of re-construction work further de-stabilising the ground, and workers getting buried alive under an avalanche.
With work planned on the Goole swing bridge this summer has anyone at network rail had the common sense to consider bringing the work forward so that it is done now while the route is closed anyway?”
by VicMay
Friday, March 01 2013, 9:54AM
“When that tsunami hit Japan it washed out a big section of motorway. It was totally rebuilt and working in about a fortnight. Then just look at us... pathetic really.”
by Missfoodlove
Friday, March 01 2013, 8:53AM
“Is the fare still the same?”