Weather related disruption - Christmas 2013 and New Year 2014

[ushawk]

Does anyone know how repair work to the Ockley line is progressing, and whether early February is still a reasonable re-opening time?

Work is going well, currently on target for a full reopening within the next few weeks.

 

[Rich McLean]

Why is that?

It has just been repaired, but this latest storm could knock the line out again, just after it had been fixed as far as Barmouth

 

[Hophead]

Does anyone know how repair work to the Ockley line is progressing, and whether early February is still a reasonable re-opening time?

Network Rail have a press release and some pictures for you.

 

[al78]

Network Rail have a press release and some pictures for you.

Thanks, good to see they are making good progress. Will the repair result in the embankment being more resilient to slippage should a similar storm happen again?

 

[tsr]

Flooding is affecting the line via Bexhill, and there also seems to be some sort of problem in the Nutfield area (hardly surprising - the ground round there is more waterlogged than I can ever recall in recent years, and they had problems near Bletchingley Tunnel recently).

 

[hassaanhc]

Landslip at Botley means trains can't run between Fareham and Eastleigh. And then we have the usual flooding at Fulwell

 

[swt_passenger]

Landslip at Botley means trains can't run between Fareham and Eastleigh.

It's only recently (about 4 or 5 years) that they got on top of the pretty much annual closures for flooding at Botley...

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

In SWT land there is flooding being reported in the tunnel at Fulwell and services are suspended Fulwell-Shepperton. There was non-stop drizzle for most of the day yesterday (with periods of heavier rain) so I guess it had to happen eventually with the ground being saturated from before.

There are buses again today between Fulwell and Shepperton. There was a lot of disruption on the line yesterday too although I don't think it was owing to flooding.

 

[swt_passenger]

NR's info displays at Southampton were giving initial warning that the Botley Line would be closed until about Wednesday, pending detailed examination.

Today saw the fairly unusual scenario of the FGW Portsmouth - Cardiff services running through P1 at Eastleigh, having been cut short at Southampton Central due to the closure of both Redbridge Jn for engineering works and the Botley line diversionary route...

 

[TEW]

Latest update is that significant work is required to repair the landslip and their is no estimate of when the line will reopen.

 

[swt_passenger]

Latest update is that significant work is required to repair the landslip and their is no estimate of when the line will reopen.

I wonder exactly where the landslip is then? I passed by Botley station earlier and there's nothing visible south of the platforms, i.e. looking towards the end of the single line section, but of course it could be somewhere completely different, such as the cuttings near Tapnage tunnel.

They'd only normally mention the nearest station to a problem, not the exact location...

 

[Parallel]

Apparently flooding near the Pembrey area has meant that the line is now closed between Llanelli and Carmarthen, meaning trains from towards Cardiff are now terminating at Llanelli, also, Heart of Wales services are affected with services now terminating at Pontarddulais.

Part of the Ebbw Vale line is also flooded and there have been reports of a tree on the line, and all services are currently being terminated at Cross Keys.

 

[tsr]

A train struck a tree at Leigh (near Tonbridge) earlier, though it was eventually able to proceed under its own power, I believe; flooding has persisted in causing delays between Nutfield & Godstone, especially from Redhill towards Tonbridge (contrary to what NRE have said - it is almost unheard of for them to give fully-accurate details about this line, in my personal experience!). Fortunately, the landslip at Pulborough has been clear for some considerable time now, and it appears services are running at linespeed. The issues in the Botley area have continued to cause diversions of Southern services to/from the Southampton area to Portsmouth Harbour, but they are now expecting these not to have any further major diversions, apparently.

 

[TEW]

I wonder exactly where the landslip is then? I passed by Botley station earlier and there's nothing visible south of the platforms, i.e. looking towards the end of the single line section, but of course it could be somewhere completely different, such as the cuttings near Tapnage tunnel.

They'd only normally mention the nearest station to a problem, not the exact location...

I'm not sure, I've only seen the location referred to as 'near Botley'.

 

[user15681]

Large landslip at Sole Street. Unfortunately, I had a feeling one would happen. SE say disruption until end of service today.

At the moment, next Wednesday is not looking good.

 

[nowananorack]

The issues in the Botley area have continued to cause diversions of Southern services to/from the Southampton area to Portsmouth Harbour, but they are now expecting these not to have any further major diversions, apparently.

Southern services only use the Botley line as a diversion if the Netley route is closed.
Suspect any Southern/FGW delays are being caused by the Portsmouth Harbour to Waterloo via Eastleigh/Basingstoke trains having to be diverted via Netley and having to be reversed at St Denys. Some SWT & freight trains going on to Southampton through St Denys will also get held up.
Saw quite a queue building yesterday. Single 444 in St Denys platform, twin 444(Poole/Weymouth) at the preceeding signal and a freight slowing through Swaythling.

 

[swt_passenger]

Southern services only use the Botley line as a diversion if the Netley route is closed.

No they don't, there are a couple of passenger services that go that way SX, with a few extras on Saturdays, and there'd be a lot more if the XC services hadn't been extended to Southampton. There are also regular ECS moves via Eastleigh.

It was originally going to be operated as a one way loop for Brighton trains, as shown in the franchise agreement for the current franchise.

 

[TEW]

Latest update I've seen today is that the line via Botley is expected to be closed until Late February.

The delays to FGW services this weekend are because they were booked to use the Botley line, diverting Romsey-Fareham due to the closure of Romsey-Southampton Central. Instead they are now running as booked to Eastleigh then calling additionally and terminating at Southampton Central. It isn't possible to run them through to Portsmouth Harbour because of the delay picked up by running such a circuitous route.

 

[swt_passenger]

Will be interesting to see the temporary SX timetable if the work lasts that long then.

Surely diverting all the normal 'via Botley' service via St Denys (reverse) alongside the full normal weekday timetable will not be possible - even though they have sometimes done it in one direction or the other for short periods of a few hours or more.

You'd have to assume that some of the various peak extras run down the Botley line (perhaps those allegedly 'misused' DMUs) would disappear from such a temporary timetable as well?

 

[Matt Taylor]

Further problems are inevitable if/when the Portsmouth direct line is closed for any reason.

 

[pompeyfan]

Latest update I've seen today is that the line via Botley is expected to be closed until Late February.

The delays to FGW services this weekend are because they were booked to use the Botley line, diverting Romsey-Fareham due to the closure of Romsey-Southampton Central. Instead they are now running as booked to Eastleigh then calling additionally and terminating at Southampton Central. It isn't possible to run them through to Portsmouth Harbour because of the delay picked up by running such a circuitous route.

What's the plan for today, checking the journey planner going westbound from Portsmouth it seems it's running normal route via Southampton and not Eastleigh or chandlers ford?

 

[swt_passenger]

What's the plan for today, checking the journey planner going westbound from Portsmouth it seems it's running normal route via Southampton and not Eastleigh or chandlers ford?

They are going through P1 at Eastleigh towards Cardiff, according to Eastleigh's NRES live departure board, but without calling at Southampton Central, so logically that means they are reversing just south of St Denys, as the SWT 'via Botley' services were doing yesterday.

Latest news for tomorrow from SWT:

Monday 3 February to Wednesday 5 February
London Waterloo to Portsmouth via Eastleigh - these trains will be diverted and will not call at Botley or Hedge End in either direction. Journey times will be extended by up to 30 minutes.
-
London bound services will also not call at Farnborough Main, Woking or Clapham Junction to minimise the impact of the diversionary delay on the rest of the train service.
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Portsmouth bound trains will call additionally at Southampton Airport Parkway. Journey times will be extended by up to 30 minutes.
-
Southampton to Portsmouth - these trains will run on their normal route but may be delayed because of congestion caused by the diverted trains.
-
Replacement Transport
Rail replacement buses will operate hourly in both directions between Fareham and Southampton Airport Parkway calling at Botley and Hedge End.
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Additional buses will operate at peak hours (06:00 to 09:00 & 16:00 to 20:00) between Hedge End and Southampton Airport Parkway only. This will provide buses at a 15 minute frequency.
-
Thursday 6 February and beyond
The line will remain blocked for some time. We will be assessing how the train and bus services perform from Monday to Wednesday and may make further revisions to the services going forward. A plan for Thursday and beyond will be published as soon as possible.

Seems reasonable. See how it works for a few days as passengers get into the routine...

 

[TEW]

What's the plan for today, checking the journey planner going westbound from Portsmouth it seems it's running normal route via Southampton and not Eastleigh or chandlers ford?

They're still running via Chandler's Ford as the route via Redbridge remains closed. However instead of calling at Southampton Central additionally and terminating there services are instead running through to Portsmouth Harbour with delays. I presume they are reversing at St Denys as per SWT services. FGW services should have minimal disruption from tomorrow as the route via Redbridge is open and trains can run via the normal route. I believe there are more blockades on the Redbridge line over the coming weekends though so there could be further disruption to come.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Further problems are inevitable if/when the Portsmouth direct line is closed for any reason.

It's closed beyond Petersfield today. I imagine passengers had been advised to take through services via Eastleigh.

 

[Ianmel1969]

Re the Botley incident.

Could anyone please advise me as to whether these services are still running on Wednesday 5th February?

Coming back late from Waterloo to Fratton. We were originally going to avoid the route via Guildford as there are buses from Haslemere. The plan was to get the 2305 Waterloo to Southampton Central train and change at Eastleigh for the 0030 Eastleigh to Portsmouth Harbour train.

So will the 0030 now be a bus via Hedge End and Botley?

No doubt it will now be better to get the service via Guildford!

 

[swt_passenger]

Re the Botley incident.

Could anyone please advise me as to whether these services are still running on Wednesday 5th February?

Don't you mean still NOT running?

That's what they've announced, and what I copied off their website and posted an hour ago ^^^

 

[Ianmel1969]

Don't you mean still NOT running?

That's what they've announced, and what I copied off their website and posted an hour ago ^^^

Ok, to put it another way. Will the 0030 Eastleigh to Portsmouth train now go via St Denys?

 

[Goatboy]

Ok, to put it another way. Will the 0030 Eastleigh to Portsmouth train now go via St Denys?

Thats what the text he has pasted quite clearly implies?

 

[swt_passenger]

Ok, to put it another way. Will the 0030 Eastleigh to Portsmouth train now go via St Denys?

It won't go via Botley, I'd expect it will run as a bus. Like it does quite often anyway, on ordinary week nights.

Update at 2040, realtime trains shows the 0030s during the week cancelled throughout. If there's a bus meets the train it will probably go from Parkway instead as shown for the rest of the day.

Update 2110 SWT web page now shows a bus timetable, and there's a 0045 from Parkway to Fareham as I'd expected.

 

[Ianmel1969]

Thats what the text he has pasted quite clearly implies?

Thanks Goatboy, there is no problem double checking with people who obviously know a lot more than me about railways is there?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It won't go via Botley, I'd expect it will run as a bus. Like it does quite often anyway, on ordinary week nights.

Update at 2040, realtime trains shows the 0030s during the week cancelled throughout. If there's a bus meets the train it will probably go from Parkway instead as shown for the rest of the day.

Update 2110 SWT web page now shows a bus timetable, and there's a 0045 from Parkway to Fareham as I'd expected.

Thanks for the update SWT passenger

 

[30909]

Further problems are inevitable if/when the Portsmouth direct line is closed for any reason.

Reported at 06:10 3 Feb stock to form 06:00 Haslemere - Waterloo hit a fallen tree near Milford and sustained damage will be taken out of service. All lines are blocked and busses are being arrange for Haslemere - Guildford in both directions. Great start to the week for everyone.
http://www.journeycheck.southwesttrains.co.uk/
"Owing to a fallen tree blocking the track between Guildford and Haslemere all lines are blocked.
Impact:
Train services running through these stations may be delayed or revised at short notice. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed.
Customer Advice:
Our train crews and engineers are examining the area for debris. At this moment we are unable to run any services between Guildford and Haslemere.
-
Services affected:
London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour via Guildford.
Portsmouth Harbour to London Waterloo via Guildford.
-
We are in the process of arranging buses to run between Guildford and Haslemere. An update will be provided when our engineering team make a full assessment of the line.

Last Updated :03/02/2014 06:44"