Network Rail engineers have agreed a plan to repair a 500,000t landslip which forced the closure of part of the Settle to Carlisle railway line through north Yorkshire and Cumbria in February.

 

The landslip affected an area of more than 130m long and 70m wide at Eden Brows, near Armathwaite.

 

Repair works will involve building a structure underneath the affected section of railway to support it. Major earthworks will also be required to stabilise the embankment.

 

This project is expected to take several months, due partly to the fact earth is still moving at the site.

 

“We have carefully considered many repair options and we are satisfied the one we’re going with is the best,” said Network Rail’s project manager for the repair Rhiannon Price.

 

“Our aim is to do a thorough job that leaves the Settle to Carlisle railway line in better shape than it was before this land slip. As well as tackling this problem we intend to bring forward other, less major jobs we have earmarked on the shut section of line.”

 

Northern Rail services are currently operating between Leeds and Appleby but passengers are having to travel on replacement bus services between Appleby and Carlisle.

 

Meanwhile in South East England, Network Rail and train operators are appealing to HGV drivers to take care around low bridges after three collisions took place over a 12 hour period last week.

 

The incidents at Tulse Hill, Grosvenor Road Bridge near Victoria and a further bridge near Orpington caused delays to passenger services on Thursday evening and Friday morning.

 

Govia Thameslink Railway’s chief operating officer Dyan Crowther said: “Lorries are hitting railway bridges with sickening regularity, causing disruption to thousands of passengers every time.”

 

Network Rail’s route managing director Alasdair Coates added: “With a railway network as busy and complex as ours in the South East, knock on delays can spread very quickly and far from the site of the original incident. I urge hauliers and drivers to please be more careful.”

 

(Photo: Network Rail)