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Thursday 9 Nov 2023

Services to return to normal on Monday after West Yorkshire landslip

Region & Route:

Eastern

Rail services in West Yorkshire are expected to return to normal on Monday after a collapsed wall caused a landslip in Dewsbury.

Part of a retaining wall that runs alongside the railway close to Thornhill Road, to the south of Dewsbury Station, collapsed yesterday morning (Wednesday 8 Nov) causing a several metre wide landslip directly next to the track and closing the line towards Huddersfield from Leeds. The line in the other direction, from Huddersfield towards Leeds, remains open.  

After thorough overnight investigations took place, engineers have now confirmed that repair work will continue over the coming days and throughout the weekend, with normal service expected to be resumed for the start of service on Monday morning (13 Nov).

TransPennine Express (TPE) and Northern services from Leeds towards Huddersfield are affected, with some services diverting onto other nearby lines – although trains from Leeds are not able to call at Morley, Batley, Dewsbury, Mirfield or Brighouse. Trains going towards Leeds from Huddersfield can still use the normal route but are subject to delays as trains slow down to pass the worksite.

Network Rail is encouraging all passengers wanting to travel through the area to check for up-to-date routes and journey details via National Rail Enquiries or with Northern/TPE, and people living and working close to the site are advised that the work over the coming days may be disruptive – including at night – and to call the Network Rail Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 for more information.

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North & East route, said: “Engineers are working flat out to get the train service back to normal as safely and as quickly as possible.

“I know this will be disruptive for some passengers over the next few days and into the weekend. I am sorry for the inconvenience caused, and would like to thank them and our lineside communities for their patience while the repairs take place.”

A spokesperson on behalf of Northern and TransPennine Express said: “Our colleagues are working incredibly hard to keep trains moving and to get passengers to their destination with the least amount of disruption.

“While diversion routes are in place, we’re encouraging passengers to check before travelling as journey times will be longer and may be subject to delays. Thank you to all our passengers for their understanding.”