Media centre

Thursday 9 Apr 2020

Abseiling rail workers reach new heights to keep passengers on the move

Region & Route:

North West & Central

Abseiling teams have been securing a steep railway cutting making it more reliable for passengers on the line between Liverpool and Ormskirk.

Specialist contractors scaled the rock cutting at Aughton Park station in West Lancashire over several recent weekends.

The work involved removing loose material, inspecting drainage and monitoring the ground conditions on a slope beside the busy railway line.

Rope access teams and engineers carried out the essential safety work while maintaining a two-metre distance from each other, in line with government guidelines for essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tony Butler, route asset manager for geotechnics at Network Rail, said: “Our teams are working around the clock to make sure people who cannot work from home can still get to their jobs.

“This includes NHS staff who use the railway to get to work in hospitals in Liverpool, Aintree and Ormskirk.

“I’m proud of the hard work our staff continue​ to deliver, even during this incredibly difficult time”.

From tomorrow (10 April) NHS staff will be able to travel for free on buses and Merseyrail trains across the city region if they show their valid photo ID.

To help halt the spread of coronavirus, any non essential journeys are being discouraged. People are advised not to travel by public transport and, in line with Government advice, to stay at home, help protect the NHS and help save lives.

Those passengers who must make essential rail journeys are being advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk, with some engineering work taking place across the North West this Easter weekend.