Saturday 27 Apr 2019
Passengers urged to check before they travel as Storm Hannah causes Stoke bridge replacement delays
- Region & Route:
- North West & Central
Passengers planning to travel between Stoke-on-Trent and Derby on Monday are being urged to check before they travel after a bridge replacement was delayed because of high winds.
The railway bridge - over a pathway between Bute Street and Phoenix Way in Stoke-on-Trent - is being replaced by Network Rail as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan.
Sections of the bridge have to be lifted in by crane which can only safely operate when wind speeds are less than 18mph
Today (Saturday) Storm Hannah has seen gusts in excess of 40mph, preventing work taking place. All work has been stood down until the bad weather has passed.
The delay means the bus replacement service which is in place over the weekend will be extended into Monday. The railway is due to fully reopen on Tuesday morning.
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.
“This disruption to our plans means we will be unable to finish the work in time for the start of service on Monday. We are doing all we can to finish as quickly and safely as possible but the bus replacement service is now due to be in place throughout Monday.
“I’d urge passengers to check with National Rail Enquiries or East Midlands Trains for the latest travel information.”
The essential work is replacing the bridge which was approaching the end of its safe working life.
Passengers can get the latest travel information at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Contact information
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Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
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Network Rail press office - North West & Central Region
07740 782954
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk
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We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
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