30.04.13
Hatfield damage could keep line closed until September
Engineering works at Selby swing-bridge will be deferred as repair work continues at Hatfield, following a colliery landslip in February. Although the aim is to restart services in July, the railway could remain closed until September, Network Rail warned.
The Selby works, originally scheduled for the August bank holiday, would see steel members replaced and strengthened, full reconstruction of the road bridge, track and rail bearer replacement, with full grit blast and painting of the structure.
Renewals to two other bridges on the route to Hull have also been deferred. Network Rail has rescheduled several engineering plans to keep as many train services running as possible.
Network Rail could not provide a date for the rescheduled works, which will depend on progress at Hatfield. Work on repairing the track damaged by the colliery is “progressing well”, but still presents a serious challenge to engineers.
Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail said: “We have carefully considered what timetable can be run should the works at Selby and Hatfield be done at the same time, and, while many services can run, it will put too much strain on the network without fully satisfying the needs of our train and freight operators.
“We are in the business of running trains and we listen to our customers. It remains true that the Selby swing-bridge is showing its age. We will now focus on completing intensive maintenance work to keep the swing-bridge safe and reliable until the renewals work can be rescheduled.
“I fully appreciate the importance of restoring a direct rail service to communities and businesses in Cleethorpes, Scunthorpe, Goole and other places affected by the Hatfield landslip. My team and I are committed to do so as quickly as is possible. We continue to aim for restoration of services in July but the risk remains that the railway may not be repaired until September this year.
“We are doing everything to safely accelerate the repair of the landslip and to reinstate train services. We are also working closely with the operators of passenger and freight traffic to make best use of the railway network during this difficult time. I remain grateful for the patience of our communities, our passengers and our freight customers.”
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