Media centre

Monday 8 Sep 2014

Rail services resume as Selby Swing bridge re-opens for business

Region & Route:

Rail passengers are able to catch their regular train on the York-Selby-Hull routes this morning after Network Rail completed key stages in its £14m investment at Selby Swing Bridge.

No trains have been able to run over the bridge since the evening of 26 July while engineers replaced track, repaired steelwork, completed work to strengthen the bridge and improve the hydraulics and also repainted the structure.

Mark Tarry, area director for Network Rail, said: “This is the most significant improvement made to the bridge since it was built in 1889. Many parts of it will not need any further work for decades.

“Our engineers have worked around the clock to complete this work in the shortest possible timeframe and we thank passengers and local residents for their patience while it was carried out.

“An existing speed restriction on passenger services and a weight restriction for freight services can be lifted, improving the reliability of rail services on the route.”

A spokesperson representing the train operators said: “The long-term approach by Network Rail to the improvements on the bridge means less disruption in the future for our customers. It’s important for us as operators that customers feel our services are consistent as well as reliable and this investment will surely see that in place.

“We have worked hard to keep customers informed and up to date and we believe that the alternative travel arrangements have worked well. We'd like to thank rail passengers for their continued patience and understanding.”

No trains have called at Selby station over the weekend to allow commissioning of the signalling of testing of the structure.

The bridge will not require further intervention on the same parts for:

• Paint = 25years
• Hydraulics = 20years
• Strengthened Spans 3 & 4 = 60 years
• Reconstructed spans 1, 2 & 5 = 120 years