Press release -
Cross City line south reopens after tree removal and embankment repairs
On Tuesday (14 August) and overnight into today (15 August) two trees fell onto the line, damaging the overhead power lines. An assessment also found earth movement on the embankment, north of University station.
Engineers have removed both trees, cut back other vegetation, stabilised the embankment, fixed the damaged overhead power lines and completed their safety inspections.
The line reopened just after 9pm tonight (15 August).
While the line has reopened, there will be no services running this evening as trains and crew are out of position. It is hoped a full service will run from first thing on Thursday morning but there may be some disruption. Passengers are advised to check before they travel.
James Dean, chief operating officer for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “We did all we could to compete our surveys and repairs as quickly as possible and we’ve been able to give the all clear for the Cross City line to fully reopen.
“The embankment was saturated and we are investigating why but the cause of the earth movement is unknown at this stage. Our priority was to compete our safety checks, remove the trees and reopen the line as soon as possible.
“Thank you to passengers for their patience while we completed this emergency work - our advice is to check before you travel for the latest information.”
Richard Brooks, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, said: “Now that the line has re-opened we will return our trains to their required positions and do all we can to run a full service from first thing tomorrow morning (16 August). We apologise for the disruption this week and advise that anyone affected should put in a claim for compensation through delay repay.”
The first tree fell late on Tuesday morning (14 August) and damaged the overhead power lines. Repairs were made and the line reopened late on Tuesday night – only for a second tree to fall and damage the power lines again shortly afterwards.
Repairs to the wires were made overnight but a survey of the land nearby revealed earth movement on the embankment.
For safety reasons, the railway remained closed while repairs took place.
Passengers can check for information at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
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For further information on West Midlands Trains, London Northwestern Railway or West Midlands Railway call our newsroom on 03300 955150.
About West Midlands Trains
West Midlands Trains Ltd. will be running the West Midlands rail franchise from 10 December 2017 until 2025/6. Abellio has a 70.1% share of the company, East Japan Railway Company (JRE) and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui) own the remaining 29.9% in a 50:50 split.
About Abellio
Abellio is the international passenger transport subsidiary of the Dutch national railway company, Nederlandse Spoorwegen. Every day our people provide rail, bus and tram services to 1.7m customers across the UK, Germany and in the Netherlands. In the UK we operate buses through Abellio London, as well as ScotRail and Greater Anglia train services, and Merseyrail in a joint venture with Serco. In Germany we operate Abellio Deutschland, serving communities in North Rhine Westfalia, Saxony, Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Hesse and Thuringia. Our role in transport extends beyond the journey from a-to-b. With our international heritage and our policy of sharing best practice, not just amongst ourselves, but across the wider transport industry, we provide thought leadership and truly innovative ideas which make a positive contribution to the communities we serve. For more information on Abellio visit www.abellio.com
About Mitsui
Mitsui is one of the most diversified and comprehensive trading, investment and service enterprises in the world with 139 offices in 66 countries as of March, 2017. Utilising our global operating locations, network and information resources, we are multilaterally pursuing business that ranges from product sales, worldwide logistics and financing, through to the development of major international infrastructure and other projects in the following fields: Iron & Steel Products, Mineral & Metal Resources, Infrastructure Projects, Integrated Transportation Systems, Chemicals, Energy, Food Resources, Food Products & Services, Consumer Services, IT & Communication, and Corporate Development Business. Mitsui is actively taking on challenges for global business innovation around the world. For more information, visit www.mitsui.com.
About JR East
East Japan Railway Company (JR East) was established in 1987, when Japanese National Railways was divided as part of a package of railway reforms. JR East’s railway business covers a 7,500 km (approx. 4,660 miles) network in the eastern part of the Japanese main island, including Tokyo Metropolitan area, and provides transportation services, comprising urban, suburban and high speed operations, for 17 million passengers on a daily basis. JR East also undertakes non‐transport commercial activities, which account for more than 30% of the total revenue of JR East Group. JR East contributes to passengers and communities it serves by delivering high degrees of punctuality, reliability and comfort and also continues to pursue higher levels of safety and service quality through technical innovation. For more information, visit www.jreast.co.jp/e.
