Rail service suspension due to Storm Bert damage

A railway line is scheduled for another closure to facilitate essential repairs following flooding caused by Storm Bert. No train services will operate between Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria and Lancaster from Tuesday through Friday, as critical maintenance work is set to be conducted in the Ulverston area. This particular route had previously been inaccessible from November 23 to 25. This earlier closure occurred when melting snow caused a watercourse to overflow its banks, resulting in track inundation and erosion of the adjacent railway cutting’s embankment. According to Network Rail, efforts are underway to implement a lasting solution at the location, following the excavation of approximately 300 tonnes of soil. Engineers constructed a “water slide” measuring 427 feet (130 meters) in length to redirect the watercourse’s flow away from the cutting, thereby enabling the commencement of repair work, as stated by Network Rail. Craig Harrop, who serves as Northern’s regional director, affirmed that the operating company is committed to taking every possible measure to “get people where they want to be”. During the period of service suspension, a substitute bus service will be provided to transport passengers between the affected stations. Initially, the closure of the line was planned to commence on Monday; however, Network Rail indicated that the work was postponed to “keep the railway open for longer”.