12.02.14
Severe weather brings further damage to rail network
Bad weather and flooding continue to cause major disruption across the rail network, and Network Rail has estimated the damage at £100m so far.
Staff have been redeployed to frontline roles to help passengers to get the information they need to complete their journeys, certain ticket restrictions have been lifted, and arrangements are in place for some train tickets to be used on local bus services.
Bus replacement services are in place where road conditions permit.
An update from Network Rail shows services in the south west and in the Thames Valley face the most disruption, due to flooding at Maidenhead and storm damage at Dawlish. Services are very limited in and out of Paddington.
Heavy rain and high winds are expected, and landslips are continuing to cause line closures at Botley, Oxted, and between Fareham and Eastleigh.
The route from Taunton to Bristol is severed at Bridgwater by the Somerset Levels flooding and the line at Dawlish, linking Exeter with Newton Abbot and the West, will remain closed following sea wall damage for at least six weeks.
Heavy winds are also affecting services in Wales.
A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, said: “We would like to apologise to any passenger whose journey has been affected by the bad weather, and thank them for their patience. Rail staff are working around the clock to keep passengers informed and to clear and repair tracks so trains can get people to their destinations.
“Unfortunately, where the damage is most severe, some routes will see disruption for some time after flood water has receded while tracks are checked and repair work carried out. Passengers in affected areas should check www.nationalrail.co.uk or their train company website for the latest information before setting off on their journey.”
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