Media centre

Tuesday 31 Dec 2024

Rotherham Central station closure amid danger of flooding

Region & Route:

Eastern

Passengers are warned of severe disruption as Network Rail takes proactive steps in the face of flooding forecasts.

Rotherham Central will be closed from 10pm tonight (Tuesday 31 December), with trains diverted around the station until at least the start of service on Thursday 2 January.

Forecasts suggest there may well be flooding close to the station from the early hours of tomorrow (Wednesday 1 January), with River Don water levels expected to peak at 11.30am.

Once the water reduces to a safe level, our colleagues will inspect the infrastructure and assess any work required to resume normal service.

Karen Duffy, Network Rail operations director, said: “Taking proactive measures in such severe weather conditions has proved successful in the past in terms of protecting our important equipment from water damage, and the subsequent passenger disruption and costs this brings.

“Our signalling and telecommunications teams need as much notice as possible to carry out this disconnection and removal of equipment, and so will begin this work after the last service tonight.

“We’re sorry to passengers affected by the route closure, but if the forecasts are accurate then we will see flooding at Rotherham and this is the most effective way of protecting the railway and resuming services as soon as possible afterwards.”

Passengers should check with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries before travelling.