COMMUTERS will have to get up a few minutes earlier from today, as train operators in the region alter their timetables to account for falling leaves.

As part of the autumn timetable - which runs until December 13 - a number of Northern Rail services will be scheduled to take a few minutes longer, enabling trains additional time on potentially hazardous stretches of rail.

Train operators Northern Rail say that leaves on the lines can be as dangerous for train drivers, as black ice is on the roads. And they say the changes to their timetable are designed to allow trains to go more slowly in particular places - while ensuring timetables are "robust and reliable".

Particularly hit is the Oldham loop route, where changes will mean that only two services will call at Shaw and Oldham Mumps stations every hour - instead of the usual four. But other routes where services are being rescheduled include routes to Manchester from Buxton, Chester, New Mills, Southport and Wigan. Trains travelling from Manchester to Blackpool are also affected.

In all cases services will be scheduled to leave between just two and four minutes earlier, to allow additional time for the difficult conditions.

Black ice

"People may joke about this but it is a very challenging issue for the rail industry," said Carolyn Watson, spokeswoman for rail operator Northern Trains. "When leaves fall on railways they form the equivalent of black ice.

"Once they fall - in conjunction with trains going over and over them - the leaves transform into a Teflon type coating and that reduces the ability of a train to grip the rail and essentially makes it quite slippery - like driving a car on black ice. That means drivers have to change their driving technique and trains go at a slower speed.

"On the Oldham loop line there are circumstances about that route that make it particularly susceptible to the problem. Werneth Bank - between Failsworth and Oldham Mumps - has a very steep gradient so, if you are having difficulty gripping, the problem gets worse. Also there's a large single line section, between Shaw and Rochdale, so if you already have delays, it can build up and build up.

"We run a revised timetable to keep things as robust and reliable as possible for customers. That involves putting additional carriages on a number of trains during the peak and offering a slightly reduced service to and from Shaw and Oldham.

"Journey times may be slightly longer because drivers have to adapt their technique in these situations."

Northern Rail say they have operated a revised autumn timetable in recent years and they say that by doing so they have managed to maintain a service that is reliable and punctual.

However First Transpennine Express say they will not be altering their timetables through the autumn period. They say a system on their trains allows drivers to dispense sand onto the rails, which acts in the same way as grit on icy roads - eliminating the need to reschedule services.

Commenting on Northern Rail's revised timetable, a spokesman for Network Rail - the organisation responsible for maintaining the tracks - said: "Leaf fall is a serious issue for the rail industry and we work year around to minimise the impact upon rail services. This amended timetable has been introduced to protect safety during the height of the season."