18.01.13
Heavy snow disrupting rail services
Train operators across much of the country are advising passengers to check before travelling, as heavy snow falls across the UK, particularly in Wales.
The TOCs have been working with Network Rail to prepare stations, trains and infrastructure to minimise disruption, and are using social media to keep passengers up to date.
East Midlands Trains has contingency plans in place and is monitoring weather conditions carefully. The plans include extra staff on standby and clearing and gritting platforms.
Neil Micklethwaite, customer service and commercial director for East Midlands Trains, said: “We put a huge amount of planning into preparing for the bad weather to keep our services running for customers. However, as with any form of transport, there are times when it will have an impact on the service we can operate. As with the roads, airlines and ferries, we can never fully insulate our operation from the effects of the most extreme conditions.”
South West Trains has warned of affected services, including London – Bournemouth and Weymouth, London to Salisbury and Portsmouth, and London to Reading. A special timetable is in place today.
Jake Kelly, customer service director for the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance, said: “This special timetable helps ensure this by running slightly fewer services and allowing more time for trains to cope with poor conditions.
“In addition, it allows us to avoid train crew being in the wrong place which can cause further disruption.”
An East Coast spokesman said: “Our people are working hard to prepare our trains and stations as well as we can. Additional engineering teams will be based at key points on our route to keep trains moving, while Network Rail have snowploughs ready to keep tracks clear.”
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