Tuesday 30 Apr 2019
Bridge replacement in Stoke-on-Trent complete after being blown off course by Storm Hannah
- Region & Route:
- North West & Central
Passengers are being thanked for their patience after work to replace a railway bridge between Stoke-on-Trent and Derby over the weekend was delayed by high winds.
Sections of the railway bridge over a pathway between Bute Street and Phoenix Way in Stoke-on-Trent had to be lifted in by crane, which can only safely operate when wind speeds are less than 18mph.
With gusts up to 50mph over the weekend, all Railway Upgrade Plan work on the bridge had to be stopped until the bad weather passed.
The delay meant the bus replacement service over the weekend was extended into Monday so the vital improvement work could be carried out.
The railway fully reopened this morning (April 30).
James Dean, chief operating officer for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “Safety is our priority and we had no choice but to pause the work until Storm Hannah passed.
“We did all we could to complete the work as quickly as possible and I’d like to thank East Midlands Trains passengers for their patience after the weather disrupted our carefully planned upgrade work.”
The bridge was replaced because it was at the end of its safe working life.
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