DONCASTER’s rail link to Scunthorpe will remain closed until late June, say engineers.
Network Rail experts say the landslip at the Hatfield Colliery spoil heap to the tracks has now been stopped moving.
Its staff have now conducted more detailed surveys of the damage and are planning the work which needs to be completed to restore rail services through the area.
Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “I want to thank passengers and our freight customers for their patience in this difficult time.
“In recent days it has become apparent that the damage to the railway is a lot worse than we originally thought and the repair work will be more complex. Clearly our priority is to get rail services running again as quickly as possible but we need to do so safely.
“The complexities of this job mean it will take 16 to 18 weeks to complete, approximately until the end of June.
“However we will not be in a position to confirm this timeline until more extensive investigations have been completed in the next few days. We will do everything possible to reduce the time it will take to get the railway back.”
He added the organisation is working closely with train operators to minimise disruption to passengers.
Richard Allan, area director at Northern Rail, added: “During the forthcoming weeks, keeping passengers informed and on the move is our priority. We’ve been working closely with Network Rail and First TransPennine Express to ensure people are aware how this disruption can affect their journey.
“We will continue to keep passengers updated at our stations and on our trains as well as online via our website and Twitter feed. I’d like to thank everyone for their continued patience as this essential work is carried out and the line returned to us as soon as possible.”
First TransPennine Express is running buses from Doncaster to Cleethorpes and Scunthorpe.
Comments