03.10.17
ScotRail to spend £2.6m clearing leaves off tracks in autumn
ScotRail is set to invest £2.6m in clearing the tracks of leaves this autumn as part of a larger programme of works to keep its passengers moving whatever the weather.
Though falling leaves seem harmless, they can actually cause considerable disruption on the railway, and can put passenger safety at risk, as trains are more likely to skid and overshoot signals and platforms.
With much of Scotland’s railway surrounded by trees, the organisation is embarking on the work to ensure leaves are kept out of the way of tracks and signalling systems.
Included in the £2.6m investment will be 11 leaf fall teams totalling 30 staff, a fleet of seven specialist treatment trains designed to clear leaf debris, as well as treatment trains covering an average of 1,500 miles a day.
ScotRail predicts that around 7,200 staff hours will be dedicated to clearing the line, and will also be using a colour-coding warning system on Twitter to keep passengers updated about potential disruption caused by the weather.
“We are working hard to build the best railway Scotland has ever had, and part of that is keeping people moving during autumn when the weather can create major safety risks,” said David Dickson, infrastructure director for the ScotRail Alliance.
“We know few things annoy customers more than when their train is delayed because of leaves on the line. People are always a bit sceptical, but the reality is that leaves on the line can be dangerous and lead to disruption.
“The ScotRail Alliance is investing millions of pounds and pulling out all the stops to tackle this problem over the coming months.
Top Image: Emily Norton
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