UK: "Wrong type of soil" delays trains
Posted: 21 Nov 2011, 14:34
First it was leaves on the line... now trains are cancelled because railways are TOO DRY thanks to warm November
Dry soil has caused train tracks to shift resulting in cancellations
November set to go down as the warmest ever recorded
Mild temperatures set to continue throughout the weekend meaning Britain is hotter than Jordan
But Met Office has warned warm spell unlikely to continue into next week
By CLAIRE ELLICOTT
Mail Online
Last updated at 7:16 PM on 19th November 2011
While leaves on the line is often used as an excuse for train delays, the unseasonably warm weather is now being blamed by operators who are cancelling services due to the wrong type of soil.
Network Rail has cancelled First Capital Connect services between Ely, Cambridge, Downham Market and Norfolk because dry soil has caused the rails to shift.
Passengers expecting to use the services tomorrow and next Sunday will be forced to use replacement buses while repairs to the tracks are carried out.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: 'The closures are necessary because the ground on this stretch of track is drying out owing to a lack of rainfall in the area.
'As a result of the dry weather, ground movement has caused the tracks to become out of direct alignment with the overhead lines used to power trains.
'Services have been running at a reduced speed to minimise the chances of any disruption and remedial work has been carried out.
'It is absolutely essential that we carry out this work to keep the railway running efficiently and safely.'
Dry soil has caused train tracks to shift resulting in cancellations
November set to go down as the warmest ever recorded
Mild temperatures set to continue throughout the weekend meaning Britain is hotter than Jordan
But Met Office has warned warm spell unlikely to continue into next week
By CLAIRE ELLICOTT
Mail Online
Last updated at 7:16 PM on 19th November 2011
While leaves on the line is often used as an excuse for train delays, the unseasonably warm weather is now being blamed by operators who are cancelling services due to the wrong type of soil.
Network Rail has cancelled First Capital Connect services between Ely, Cambridge, Downham Market and Norfolk because dry soil has caused the rails to shift.
Passengers expecting to use the services tomorrow and next Sunday will be forced to use replacement buses while repairs to the tracks are carried out.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: 'The closures are necessary because the ground on this stretch of track is drying out owing to a lack of rainfall in the area.
'As a result of the dry weather, ground movement has caused the tracks to become out of direct alignment with the overhead lines used to power trains.
'Services have been running at a reduced speed to minimise the chances of any disruption and remedial work has been carried out.
'It is absolutely essential that we carry out this work to keep the railway running efficiently and safely.'