UK - overhead wire problems

[John Ashworth]

Page last updated at 11:01 GMT, Wednesday, 11 June 2008 12:01 UK

Rail travel disruption continues

Disruption to train services between Norwich, Ipswich and London is set to continue into a second day.

About a mile (1.6km) of electric power cable was brought down by a train near Ingatestone in Essex on Monday evening.

Network Rail engineers repairing the cables said they hoped to reopen the line fully by late evening.

National Express East Anglia said one track was being used for a shuttle service but many trains were still being cancelled and delayed.

The main operator on the line said it would be running a reduced service all day into Liverpool Street in London.

A Network Rail spokesman said they hoped to have the work completed by 2000 BST and said in a statement the company was currently investing £150m in renewing 30 miles of overhead power lines between Liverpool Street station and Chelmsford.

Inherently more reliable

"Work on this project began early this year and is expected to be complete by 2012.

"Weights will be added to the supporting struts of the overhead power lines, maintaining line tension throughout various weather conditions.

"When complete, the new overhead power lines will deliver increased service reliability for passengers using this route," he said.

Phillip Haigh, business editor for Rail magazine, said this project would bring welcome improvements when completed but said Network Rail must not lose sight of other parts of the line.

"Network Rail are spending millions between London and Chelmsford but they need to ensure the rest of the wires on the line are in good condition so they will not be pulled down or fall down.

"Overhead wires give us some of our best performing trains in terms of acceleration and speed.

"They are also inherently more reliable than alternative diesels. Electric trains will break down less often than diesels. I do not advocate a return to diesels as this would be a step backwards."

BBC