Southeastern passengers advised of changes for the rest of the week as extensive repairs needed following Lewisham freight train derailment: Lewisham derailment latest-2

Wednesday 25 Jan 2017

Southeastern passengers advised of changes for the rest of the week as extensive repairs needed following Lewisham freight train derailment

Region & Route:
| Southern

Changes to Southeastern train services will remain in place for the rest of the week after Network Rail engineers uncovered extensive damage to the railway following yesterday’s freight train partial derailment in Lewisham.

Network Rail teams have been working round-the-clock since the incident, which occurred at around 5.30am on Tuesday, and are using a combination of cranes and jacks to get the two derailed wagons back on the tracks and moved from site.

The extent of the damage caused by the wagons means that a 50m stretch of railway needs to be completely rebuilt. It is estimated that the work will take several days to complete.

As a result, there are no services from Lee, Mottingham or New Eltham and some trains between Cannon Street, Charing Cross and Tunbridge Wells will be diverted to run from London Victoria.

Most evening peak trains between London Cannon Street and the Medway Towns will now depart from London Blackfriars; the departure time will be the same as the normal time. There is also a shuttle service running between Sidcup and Dartford via Crayford.

Southeastern is offering  Delay Repay compensation – at double the normal value - to passengers delayed by 30 minutes or more as a result of this incident.

Andy Derbyshire, chief operating officer for Network Rail’s South East route, said: “We know that this incident is disrupting many peoples’ journeys and I’m sorry it will be a few days yet before services return to normal. We are doing everything we can to get the site clear and our repairs under way as quickly and safely as possible.

“We need to completely rebuild more than 50m of railway from the foundations up, just a few metres from one of the busiest railway lines in the south east. This is a significant job but we’ll be working round-the-clock until the work is done and trains are back up and running for passengers.”

Richard Dean, Train Services Director at Southeastern, added: “This derailment has had a huge impact on the services we have been able to run over the last few days and unfortunately, due to the level of work needed, this will continue for the next few subsequently the days to come.  It has been very difficult for our passengers and we urge those delayed for 30 minutes or more to claim Delay Repay compensation, which will be doubled until the issue is resolved.

“We would like to thank you to those who travel with us for their continued patience while the emergency repair work is completed as quickly as possible during this time. We would also ask our passengers to please continue to checking before you travelling and to allow more time for your journeys. Information will be available at stations and online, including on Twitter where our team will be sharing the most up-to-date information.”

ENDS 

 

Notes to editors:

  • Please note, Southeastern has opted to double the 'Delay Repay' payment for all affected by this incident.
  • For the latest information, passengers are advised to check with National Rail Enquiries or Southeastern at southeasternrailway.co.uk or @Se_Railway on Twitter.
  • The incident occurred at around 5.30am on Tuesday between Hither Green and Lewisham stations.
  • The train consisted of a locomotive hauling 18 wagons and was approximately 1,000m long. The rear two wagons only derailed and no people were on board the train other than the driver.

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - Chris Denham
Senior media relations manager
020 3357 7969
07515 626530
chris.denham@networkrail.co.uk

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