Media centre

Friday 14 Jun 2013

Selby swing bridge improvement works

Region & Route:

Improvements to Selby swing bridge and two rail bridges in Hull have been re-planned following a spoil heap slip on the main diversionary route. The rail industry has worked together to re-plan the work in order to minimise the impact on the travelling public.

Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, explained: "Two years ago we began to plan the most significant refurbishment of Selby swing bridge since it was built in 1889. This work would mean that no trains would be able to run through Selby. Therefore, we planned to complete the renewal of other bridges in the Hull area, as well as level crossing and track improvements, at the same time. In bundling the work together in this way we would only disrupt the line once, minimising the impact on passengers.

"This plan was reliant upon using a diversionary route via Hatfield & Stainforth to maintain a train service to Hull. Unfortunately, the extraordinary events at Hatfield Colliery made it unworkable and the projects in Selby and those affecting passenger services to Hull were deferred. The work on Selby swing bridge has been reprogrammed for next summer. However we will need to complete work on other bridges and tracks over three consecutive weekends from 5 October 2013 in order to keep services on the route running reliably until then."

During each of the weekends intensive maintenance will also be carried out on Selby swing bridge to keep the structure operational until the full, re-programmed work between 26 July and 7 September 2014.

Weekend of 5 October 2013

Buses will replace trains:
Between Selby/Goole and Hull 23.30 Friday – 23.10Saturday
Between Leeds and Hull 23.10 Saturday to 05.30 Monday
Work is planned to include:
Reconstruction of Selby swing bridge span 1 (over the road)
Track maintenance works on Selby swing bridge
Dairycoates intersection bridge, Hull - first part of waybeam renewal
Market Weighton canal bridge reconstruction
Gascoigne Wood track renewal phase 1

Weekend of 12 October 2013

Buses will replace trains:
Between Selby/Goole and Hull 23.30 Friday – 23.10Saturday
Between Leeds and Hull 23.10 Saturday to 05.30 Monday
In addition to work on Selby swing bridge work is planned to include:
Dairycoates intersection bridge, Hull – second part of waybeam renewal
Gascoigne Wood track renewal phase 2

Weekend of 19 October 2013

Buses will replace trains:
Between Selby/Goole and Hull 23.30 Friday – 23.10Saturday
Between Leeds and Hull 23.10 Saturday to 05.30 Monday
In addition to work on Selby swing bridge work will is planned to include track works at Caville bridge

Richard Allan, area director, Northern Rail, said: The landslip at Hatfield & Stainforth created a unique situation impacting on planned improvement work. We fully support the steps taken to reschedule some work to make sure diversionary routes are available and the necessity to carry out some activity in October to make sure we can keep providing a reliable service for customers. We’ll be keeping customers updated on information about the October amended plans via our website and at stations.”