Media centre

Friday 22 Jan 2021

Train services resume at Rotherham Central station for passengers who must travel

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: North & East

Network Rail has reopened the lines at Rotherham Central this morning (Friday 22 January) after heavy rain flooded the tracks.

The lines closed on Wednesday when Storm Christoph hit Yorkshire and river levels started to rise. Teams disconnected signalling cables and diverted trains between Meadowhall and Swinton before the railway flooded and sections of track were under water.

Since then, they have worked tirelessly to pump water away from the railway, carry out safety inspections and reconnect the signalling system, ready for services to resume this morning for passengers who have to travel.

People should continue to follow the latest Government guidance and must stay at home except for limited reasons.

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said: “When Storm Christoph brought heavy downpours across the north, we were well prepared for the rising water levels in Rotherham and the surrounding area.

“We had to close the line as flooding can damage vital signalling and electrical equipment, but we managed to keep passengers who had to travel moving by diverting trains.

“Our teams have worked around the clock to clear the water, test equipment and reconnect cables, ready for services to resume.”

ENDS