Posted 28th October 2013 | 3 Comments
Storm disruption goes on as more trees block lines
Blocked lines at Hatfield in Hertfordshire
WRECKED overhead equipment and signals as well as blocked tracks are still causing many train operators to advise their customers not to travel, after the overnight storm which swept across the south of England.
Other structures have also collapsed, including an advertising hoarding on the platform at Faversham and a shed which was blown on to a line south west of London.
The clear up has been hampered by the fact that trees weakened by the high winds have been continuing to fall across more tracks this morning.
Many of the problems have affected the third-rail network south of London, but overhead lines were also damaged in many places, including the East Coast Main Line at Hatfield and along the line from London Fenchurch Street to Southend. Falling trees also tore down the overhead near St Albans Abbey station on the branch from Watford Junction.
There will be no services between Peterborough and London King's Cross today, and East Coast said Network Rail engineers are also faced with damage to signals on the route caused by floodwater.
There will be no First Capital Connect or East Midlands Trains services between Luton and London today because of overhead wire damage at Radlett, but Southern has restored limited timetables on some routes, including a train every half hour between London Victoria and Brighton.
South West Trains has imposed a network-wide speed limit of 50mph, but some SWT services are still very limited or suspended entirely.
A spokesman for the South West Trains-Network Rail Alliance said: "We have now been able to start running a small number of services on a few routes, however our continuing advice to passengers is not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary. The south-west of the country was one of the areas worst hit by the storm overnight. Our test trains have been out on the network checking routes for damage. Maintenance teams and engineers are dealing with around 50 fallen trees and other debris on the tracks, including a shed. Trees weakened by the storm have been continuing to fall on tracks as the morning has gone on.
"The safety of customers and our staff is our absolute priority. As a result of the impact of the high winds and heavy rain, the vast majority of trains are not expected to run until at least 12.00 and possibly considerably later in the worst affected areas. We are working hard to restore services as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime, we would advise passengers who need to travel to plan ahead by checking the latest travel information, allow extra time to complete their trips and take care during their journeys."
Network Rail’s managing director of network operations Robin Gisby said: “Network Rail is dealing with this severe weather in exactly the way that we and the train operators planned over the weekend. We have had several hundred staff on duty through the night and into the morning to monitor conditions and react to any damage or disruption caused by hurricane-force winds. Safety remains our top priority."
Parts of the National Rail Enquiries website have apparently been overwhelmed by the amount of internet traffic from time to time, but most pages have continued to be available.
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
Stephen, Luton
I think a lot of people turned up at their local station expecting services to run because their local areas were not affected. e.g. where I live in Bedfordshire, we had very minor gale damage, but further down the Midland Main Line at Radlett, the OHLE was brought down, tree damage etc.
Chrstopher JONES-BRIDGER, Deeside Flintshire
As a veteran of the Great Storm of '87 I recall the scene that greeted me when I arrived for early turn in the BR control office where I was then working. It was absolute mayhem. All available staff were fully engaged trying to keep on top of the flood of incoming phone calls while efforts were made to assess the full extent of the damage incurred, arranging clearance and repairs, recover stranded trains, arrange for a service to be provided on lines that were unaffected and plan for the eventual restoration of services when lines had been cleared and could safely bereopened.
It had been the early hours when the first problems were reported with obstructions reported on the line and loss of supply to the overhead lines.It had very soon become clear that the regions principle route into London was blocked and the duty Deputy Chief Controller had started the introduction of the appropriate contingency plan. As this involved the diversion of services to neighboring regions the appropriate controls had been approached for their approval. This had been met with rejection as all regions were suffering the same problems it soon with all principle main lines into the capital being blocked the damage inflicted being so extensive. The morning rush hour was a complete writeoff. Thanks to the efforts of staff at all levels line examination and repairs progressed during the morning and from mid afternoon we were able to restore access to the capital enabling services to be progressively restored.
The big difference in 2013 has been the accuracy of the weather forecast. This has enabled NR and the TOC's to be able to make a considered assessment of the storms impact and decide in advance to suspend services. In 1987 a full overnight service comprising passenger, postal, newspaper, parcels and freight trains were in operation. These were only prevented from running into the affected area when the full extent of the problem was understood. As a consequence the recovery of stranded and disabled trains was an additional problem to clearing obstructions and repairing damage. Given the number of blockages and infrastructure damage reported on Monday it is clear suspension was the right thing to do until routes had been proved clear after the storm abated. It certainly prevented a lot of passengers being stranded and trains that were destined to go nowhere.
Given the number of intending passengers who still turned up expecting a service there is clearly still work to do in communicating the message. Then again given those who have vented their opinion and anger on social media how many are prepared to accept the message when it has been delivered by the broadcasters and through internet channels?
jak the lad, sutton
Like the 'Advising People Not To Travel' bit,went to my local station to see dozens of adult/ kids acting like nothing had happened,one or two were asking 'why no trains?' priceless would be interesting to compare BRs reaction to the great gale of '87 to the efforts of today's 'NotWorkFail' lot!