13.02.13
Landslip suspends train services in Yorkshire
Train services have been suspended in parts of south Yorkshire due to a landslip. A spoil heap at Hatfield Colliery, Stainforth, has moved a section of track and is pushing up the track.
Bus replacements will be running between Doncaster and Scunthorpe until the heap has been stabilised and the track can be repaired. A team of engineers is currently assessing the situation.
Rachel Lowe from Network Rail said: “This is an absolutely enormous task. We will have to re-lay the whole area.
“Our engineers have been at Hatfield Colliery throughout this event and are dealing with their experts. They obviously have to stop this movement before we can do anything about restoring the railway.”
A spokesperson added: “We have been carefully monitoring the track near Hatfield colliery at Stainforth since Saturday afternoon (9 Feb) when a train driver reported a “rough ride”. Train services in the area have been carefully managed to protect safety.
“Unfortunately conditions have deteriorated and it is no longer possible to run services through the area. We anticipate that there will be disruption to services between Doncaster and Goole and Doncaster and Scunthorpe for some time.
“Our engineers are working with the colliery to plan the safe repair of the track bed and railway once the spoil heap has been stabilised. We understand it will take several days to complete the stabilisation work. At this stage it is not possible to say when direct rail services will resume. We will publish a timescale for the works as soon as possible and apologise to passengers for the inconvenience caused.”
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