17.06.16
Closures on Buxton to Hazel Grove line after ‘exceptional’ flash floods
Services between Buxton and Hazel Grove are subject to cancellations indefinitely after flash floods damaged the track and embankment.
Following heavy rainfall on the afternoon of 12 June and the early hours of 13 June, up to 5,000 tonnes of material were washed away.
Network Rail engineers are now carrying out damage repairs, including rebuilding a section of embankment, removing and replacing track and ballast near Middlewood station, removing material from the neighbouring land and repairing the cutting slope.
Terry Strickland, area director for Network Rail, said the damage, which he described as “not insignificant”, was caused by an “exceptional” two inches of rain in less than two hours.
Northern is operating rail replacement transport between Furness Vale and Hazel Grove and between Furness Vale and New Mills Central, with a connection into Manchester.
East Midlands Trains will call additionally at Hazel Grove in both directions until further notice. Passengers are reminded to check www.nationalrail.co.uk before they travel and allow additional travelling time where possible.
Flash flooding in Yorkshire on 7 June also led to services being cancelled between Ilkley and Bradford Foster Square while Network Rail carried out repairs.
The RSSB recently advised the rail industry to develop a cohesive plan for dealing with increasing extreme weather events caused by climate change.
(Image c. Network Rail)
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