Monday 27 Feb 2006
SERVICE CHANGES ON THE SETTLE-CARLISLE LINE
- Region & Route:
Passengers on the Settle and Carlisle line are today being advised of temporary service changes on the route, starting on Monday 6th March.
The Settle & Carlisle line has seen a marked increase in traffic and is in need of some major engineering work. Network Rail engineers are currently assessing the type of renewals work required and the timing of that work, so as to minimise disruption to passengers.
In the meantime, Network Rail, working closely with train operator Northern, will introduce a revised timetable from next week, using a combination of amended train services and replacement coaches and buses. Network Rail will also work with rail freight operators to enable alternative routes to be used to deliver goods to their end customers.
Explained Area General Manager Gary Openshaw from Network Rail: “I sincerely apologise to everyone affected by the late notice of these service changes and the inconvenience it will cause. Network Rail will continue to work closely with Northern and freight operators to keep any disruption to a minimum.”
From next week, train operator Northern will operate a combination of revised train services and shuttle bus services, with journey times extended.
Commented Northern Rail’s Commercial Director Chris Kimberley: “Our main aim will be to help passengers complete their journeys, though inevitably some journey times will be extended.”
Pete Shaw on behalf of the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line added: “While it is disappointing about the short notice regarding train service alterations, the forthcoming renewals work will ensure the long-term future of the line, which is all important. Given the fact that not so long ago the line was in danger of closing for ever, the need to upgrade the track is testament to a remarkable turnaround in its prospects.”
Network Rail and Northern are currently working on the detail of the revised train services and will release further information within the next 48 hours.
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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.
Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.
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