Weather disruption caused in 2014, and how to prevent it happening again - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

......it just gets worse and worse:

From the NRE^‡(resolve) Website:

Fallen trees are blocking the line between Salisbury and Tisbury and also between Salisbury and Warminster, because of this, trains between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction / Warminster may be delayed by up to 30 minutes.

However, SWT^▸ (South West Trains) have managed to set up a shuttle service between Exeter St.Davids and Axminster.

[AMLAG]

Due landslip at Crewkerne the 1225 Exe/Wloo terminated at Axminster and returned as 1603 Axminster/St D then is shown to work 1725 Exeter St D all stns to Axminster scheduled arrival 1805.
Hopefully if  Exeter St D /Axminster remains open this unit can work shuttles between Axminster & Exeter St D for local passengers until whole route reopened etc.

[Phil]

News update:

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Rail-line-closed-east-west-Exeter-fresh-storm/story-20590207-detail/story.html

"Network Rail has confirmed that flooding on the Somerset Levels and a landslip at Crewkerne means there are no routes to Exeter open to trains this Saturday afternoon.

The route from Bridgewater is blocked by the flooded River Parrett to the south of the town, while the main line from Castle Cary is blocked by flooding at Athelney.

The diversionary route via Yeovil is also blocked by an embankment landslip at Crewkerne. This was discovered soon after 9am this morning but it has now deteriorated to the extent that train are no longer able to run."

[JayMac]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Landslip causes further rail misery for South West travellers

The weather has caused more damage to the South West's rail network with a landslip on the Exeter to Waterloo line, Network Rail has reported.

It said the incident at Crewkerne in Somerset meant passengers could not get to Exeter by train.

In Dawlish, where waves destroyed the main railway line, shipping containers are being used as a breakwater.

Earlier coastguards warned of "phenomenal" waves of more than 45ft (14m) for the region.

Ben Bradshaw, the Labour MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) for Exeter, tweeted: "Just got worse: Landslip shuts Waterloo line at Crewkerne - no trains at all in or out of the Westcountry. Nearest services Bristol & Yeovil."

Network Rail said it had spent the night spraying concrete onto the cliff and damaged sections of the track, which had connected Devon and Cornwall to the rest of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).

It added that the rubble-filled containers would be used to help temporarily protect the section and estimated it would cost ^10m to repair the line.

...continues

[Timmer]

Pictures of flooded line in the Bridgewater area:
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/Media-update-flooding-and-landslip-block-routes-to-Exeter-1fd6.aspx

Looks like the line between Bristol and Taunton won't be reopening anytime soon.

[Timmer]

Latest from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) on this very challenging situation for the rail network in the South West:
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/Media-Centre/2014/February/important-information-about-services-to-and-from-south-west

[stuving]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

...
It added that the rubble-filled containers would be used to help temporarily protect the section and estimated it would cost ^10m to repair the line.
...

I guess that's another variant on the idea of blocks or gabions - whatever is to hand that's big and is, or can quickly be made, heavy.

[JayMac]

Could someone please tell Network Rail that Bridgwater is spelled with only one 'e'. 

[John R]

Spelling is not their strongest point. Earlier this week at the launch of the Northen (sic) Hub, they had to remove one of the large backdrop posters just as the press arrived.

[stuving]

That BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) story quotes this from Network Rail.
The NR^» (Network Rail - home page) item has a picture that shows the repair and the first container in place.

Work underway at Dawlish, showing the scrapped rails and the first spray of concrete
Saturday 8 Feb 2014

[bobm]

Spelling is not their strongest point. Earlier this week at the launch of the Northen (sic) Hub, they had to remove one of the large backdrop posters just as the press arrived.

..meanwhile at the TransWilts launch someone had to be employed to hold onto the backdrop posters to prevent them landing on the guests!

[The Tall Controller]

I'm happy that a direct coach from Plymouth to Bristol Parkway now runs. I was getting worried about how many different coach changes would be necessary! Any bets on which line will be the first to reopen and when?!

[bobm]

I think Dawlish will be last - but other than that I wouldn't like to guess!

[John R]

And now there are reports on National Rail of flooding in the Twyford area causing 20 minute delays between Reading and Slough.

[stuving]

And now there are reports on National Rail of flooding in the Twyford area causing 20 minute delays between Reading and Slough.

I guess that'll be the Loddon - nearly a foot higher than its highest measured level. It has cut all the roads from Wokingham into reading bar the motorway - again. And perhaps this time also the road via Twyford, though as Sonning bridge is out that's academic.

By the way, had you noticed that Bridgwater, Athelney, and Crewkerne are all close to the Parrett?