Monday 9 Apr 2018
Network Rail engineers work non-stop to reopen Yorkshire rail line closed by landslip
- Region & Route:
- | Eastern
Network Rail has successfully reopened the rail line between Leeds and Ilkley after a landslip caused it to close last week.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, 3 April when a Northern driver reported seeing a tree perched precariously over the southern portal to Springs Tunnel, to the south of Guiseley Station.
Network Rail engineers began carrying out repairs on Tuesday and worked round the clock to remove the 80tonnes of debris from above the tunnel, including large trees.
Due to the challenging location of the incident, it wasn’t possible to remove the debris from above, so the debris was brought onto the track below and then removed. This meant overhead line equipment also had to be removed and reinstalled once all of the debris had been cleared. Network Rail also carried out work to clean and improve a public access road and track which will improve the area for the local community.
Chris Gee, head of operations for Network Rail, said: “Our engineers have done a fantastic job and have worked round the clock since Tuesday so that we could safely reopen the railway for passengers this morning.
“We’re sorry for anyone who was inconvenienced due to this incident and thank them for their patience whilst we carried out this vital work."
ENDS
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