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Friday 20 Aug 2021

UPDATE: Repair works underway following Cambridgeshire level crossing incident

Region & Route:

Eastern: Anglia

Repair works are underway on the line between Ely and Peterborough following a collision between a freight train and a tractor yesterday morning (19 August).

As of Friday (20 August) the freight train and wagons had been removed and Network Rail’s engineers had completed half a mile of track repairs, with the remaining half a mile planned in over the weekend. Repairs are also being carried out to the signalling equipment and level crossing infrastructure.

The work is expected to be completed early next week. The line will remain closed on Monday and a further update will be provided regarding its reopening. We aim to reopen the line as early as possible next week.

Network Rail's infrastructure director for Anglia, Simon Milburn, said:

“We’ve been working around the clock to carry out repairs as quickly as possible and have completed half of the track repairs so far with further works planned this weekend. We aim to reopen the line as soon as we can next week but it will remain closed on Monday. I’d like to thank passengers for their continued patience while we complete this work.

“Passengers travelling between Ely and Peterborough are advised to check with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.”

Just after 9am a freight train collided with a tractor at Kisbeys user worked level crossing in March, Cambridgeshire between March and Whittlesea stations. Network Rail is assisting the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) with their investigation to fully understand the circumstance of the incident.

The crash caused three freight wagons to derail and has caused significant damage to the track, signalling equipment and the level crossing. The train driver and the tractor driver sustained minor injuries.