Media centre

Tuesday 12 Mar 2024

Complex environment at site of Baildon landslip forces railway to remain closed

Region & Route:

Eastern

Train services through Baildon will remain suspended for several weeks more after the complex nature of the site has caused work to progress more slowly than anticipated.

Network Rail and contractor teams have been on site around-the-clock for close to a month after a landslip caused the railway line to close.

Specialist road rail vehicles and other equipment has been utilised to remove more than 1,800 tonnes of earth to stabilise the land.

Train services were initially estimated to return from mid-March however due to the complex environment at the site of the landslip, the line will remain closed for several weeks more.

A rail replacement service, implemented by train operator Northern, has transported passengers through the area during the closure and will continue.

Services that run via Bradford Forster Square & Leeds and Leeds & Ilkley are not affected.

Network Rail is encouraging passengers to continue to check their journey before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or Northern for the latest information.

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North & East route, said: “We know that the train service through the area is important to local residents are we are both sorry for this delay in reopening the line and grateful for the continued patience of passengers.

“The site is incredible complex which has meant work has not been able to be carried out as quickly as we were initially hoping.

“We are continuing to liaise with local residents impacted by this landslip and with various partner agencies to reinstate the train service as soon as we can while maintaining a safe working environment.”

Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern, added: “All services between Bradford Forster Square and Ilkley remain suspended following the landslip near Baildon station – however, services that run via Bradford Forster Square and Leeds and Leeds and Ilkley are not affected.

“A number of rail replacement services are in operation to ensure passengers can still get to where they want to be, and we would encourage customers to ‘check before they travel’ to see how their journey is affected.

“We will continue to support Network Rail in any way that we can as they continue efforts to re-open the line.”

For the latest Northern information, please visit: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/baildon-landslip