WORK is continuing at the site of a freight train derailment at Sheffield early yesterday morning which left a number of cement tankers off the rails and blocked five of the station's eight platforms.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has sent inspectors to the scene and their inquiries are continuing, but once the train is removed Network Rail will have to repair tracks and signalling which have been ‘significantly’ damaged by the low speed derailment.

The train, bound for Dewsbury, had been passing through platform 1 when the incident occurred at about 02.45 yesterday. The cause is not yet known.

However, it is hoped that two more platforms can open today, although Network Rail is warning that disruption is likely to continue for a while. The train operators still affected are Northern and East Midlands Railway, while CrossCountry and TransPennine Express are expecting to run a normal service again.

Network Rail North & East route director Matt Rice said: ‘This is a significant incident, so it’s only right that we take time to find out all of the facts and understand what has caused this.

‘Once it is safe to do so, we will start work to remove the train, better assess the extent of the damage and make a plan for repairs.

‘This process is taking some time and we are sorry for the disruption which this is causing. There will still be service changes over the coming days. We urge anyone planning to travel to, from or via Sheffield to check before travelling.’