Rail passengers face longer journeys as dried out clay causes track issues
It's affecting services in Essex and London
Rail passengers, in Essex and London, may face longer journeys over the coming week, because of track issues, caused by drought and hot weather.
Network Rail said that from Tuesday, amended timetables are being introduced on the c2c route between Shoeburyness and London and some Greater Anglia services in Essex, after a Summer of record-breaking heatwaves.
Sustained hot weather and low rainfall have caused the clay, underneath long stretches of the railway in Essex, to dry out and shrink, causing some issues with the quality of the track, Network Rail said.
It comes after two trains derailed during the heatwave earlier this month, including a Greater Anglia train near Wickford, Essex and an incident at Lewes, East Sussex, which seriously injured two passengers.
Investigations into both derailments are looking at all possible causes, but officials have acknowledged that hot weather has presented the railway with a series of challenges.
Operating officer for Great British Rail Anglia, Martin Beable, said: “We’re taking action to keep everyone moving safely and reliably, while minimising the impact on passengers.
“Our teams are working together, across Anglia, to keep running the best possible service, despite the significant challenges we’re facing, because of this exceptionally hot and dry weather.
“We never want our customers to experience disruption, but safety will always be our priority.
“Thank you for bearing with us and please do check before you travel, particularly if you’re used to getting the same time train every day.”
The changes, which will last until next Tuesday, mean that some journeys will take between two to eight minutes longer than usual, with adjusted departure and arrival times.
Affected services include c2c trains, between London from Shoeburyness and the Greater Anglia line between Southend Victoria and London, which are both key commuter routes for those travelling between the capital and Essex.
After the derailments, group safety and engineering director at Network Rail, Martin Frobisher, said there was “lots that we can do”, to make the railway more resilient to climate change.
Network Rail said that there is a programme underway, to protect the railway from extreme weather and climate change, which is supported by a £2.6 billion investment in track maintenance and renewals.
The company said it is currently undertaking extra engineering work, to minimise the effects of dried-out soil along the Greater Anglia route, including using machines called tampers, to create a solid foundation for the smooth running of trains and putting down new ballast, to help raise the level of the track.
After the derailment on August 14, passengers wanting to travel through Wickford are currently being advised only to do so if their journey is essential, while repair work continues.
The UK is on course for its hottest Summer on record, the Met Office has said, after five heatwaves have swept the country, with temperatures of up to 38.1C recorded in the south east.
The hot weather has coincided with extremely dry conditions, with drought declared in nearly three quarters of England and the whole of Wales.