'Months of disruption' for North East Lincolnshire train passengers
THE disruption caused to train passengers travelling to and from North East Lincolnshire by a landslide is set to continue for months.
Network Rail has today said there is no date set for the start of repair work to the line between Scunthorpe and Doncaster which was ripped apart on February 12.
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Delays 'for some time': The scale and severity of the landslide that is affecting rail services between Doncaster and Scunthorpe.
The line links North East Lincolnshire with the nation's rail network, causing some passengers to endure journeys lasting double the time they should.
Brian Milner, of Larmour Road, in Grimsby, was dismayed when it took two hours and 40 minutes to travel from Doncaster to Grimsby earlier this week.
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He told how the replacement bus service running from Doncaster to Scunthorpe was slightly delayed, and the train from Scunthorpe to Grimsby was not held, leading to a hold-up.
"This is not acceptable and would put anyone off doing the journey again," he said.
"It is unclear when train services will resume, but it seems likely that it will take a while.
"Grimsby and Cleethorpes are in danger of appearing very isolated during this period.
"Northern Trains are diverting their Sheffield to Bridlington and Scarborough trains via an alternative route without the use of buses.
"Day-trippers may decide to try Bridlington or Scarborough instead of Cleethorpes."
A Network Rail spokesman anticipated the delays will be "for some time".
He continued: "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.
"Our initial estimate is that it will take about eight weeks to repair the damage after the colliery has completed its work."
But Simon Harris, managing editor of Railnews, the newspaper for the rail industry, has predicted it could be May before normal services resume.
As previously stated, Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers has already raised concerns that vital Easter trade in the resort could dip because of the incident.
He has secured an agreement from First TransPennine Express to have a direct bus route from Cleethorpes and Grimsby to Doncaster to avoid changes at Scunthorpe.
"I am keeping up the pressure on the rail companies," he said. "People realise it is not their fault."
And local industry which relies on rail for transport has been affected too.
David Hooper, external affairs manager of the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, said: "Businesses which rely heavily on rail freight transport will have to find alternative rail routes or employ alternative methods of transport for their goods, which will no doubt have a cost implication and cause some logistics problems in the short term."
Also see today's Viewpoint – pages 14-15
12 Comments
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by Wolla247
Monday, February 25 2013, 5:07PM
“I hope this is fixed by 2nd of May, we needed this service to Manchester Airport and don't like the idea of messing about getting on and off coaches with luggage. Not only that, but the ticket price was £15.00 return with a railcard, since they started using coaches the price has doubled! :(”
by JEFROMGRIMSBY
Monday, February 25 2013, 4:42PM
“Contributers to previous related articles on this indicate re-routeing is not possible due to several factors,lack of capacity due to diverted freight,insufficient rolling stock and staff,staff unable to work alternative routes or units.
The situation is becoming more serious as the time for restoration is increasing all the time.
Buses seem to be the only option on offer and powers that be seem to be at a loss what else to do.
Going on recent reports in this Paper statitics show its more dangerous by road,no serious rail injuries for 6 yrs.
The buses take longer and stop at intermediate stations although it's interesting to note the Goole -Doncaster buses are doubled up.! non stop,1 calling at intermediate stations.
Northern trains are re-routing the Sheeffield to Brid & Scarboro missing out Goole,ominous for the Cleethorpes Summer trade.”
by AAAAAAARGH
Monday, February 25 2013, 3:08PM
“Is the colliery likely to be prosecuted? Surely it was a major mistake to pile this material so close to the railway line?
Network Rail say it will take them 8 weeks to repair the track once the ground stops moving, but when will that be? Is the colliery doing anything to stop the movement?”
by voxpax
Monday, February 25 2013, 11:55AM
“Surely they could use "tilting trains" on that section!”
by whyhaveone
Monday, February 25 2013, 8:49AM
“The stabilisation of the spoil heap is a major engineering challenge. May could prove to be an optimistic target. IMO the sensible way forward is rerouting of rail services - perfectly feasible. An extra half hour on the trip would be a minor irritation.
Please sort it, Railtrack”
by havntone
Sunday, February 24 2013, 9:45AM
“by georgybee, they cant, its still moving.”
by georgeybee
Sunday, February 24 2013, 1:17AM
“No set date for the start of repairs!!!!
How about straight away!!!”
by des22
Saturday, February 23 2013, 6:15PM
“One minute we have politicians wanting a through service to London and the next we can't even get to Doncaster! There ought to be a flood of letters to the companies from customer and local councils. This link matters and a replacement bus just isn't good enough and it isn't much use for goods traffic anyway.”
by AfricanMeggy
Saturday, February 23 2013, 5:14PM
“It does n't take much to stop a railway in this country for weeks.Sometimes just leaves on the line. In any other country the line would be diverted and back in use in a couple of days.There are enough people unemployed sucking up benefits busy operating remote controls sat on their butts that could be diverted to this job.The Germans and Yanks must laugh their heads of at our l;ack of drive ,laziness and incompetence! If we want to transform ourselves into a prosperous wealthy county again changes need to be made and we need to take the t out of can't and make it CAN!”
by Gy_Pete
Saturday, February 23 2013, 4:35PM
“The reason of diverting a few passengers in favour of tons of freight thats using the single track through Brigg, wont happen, so Bus it is, i'm afraid.”