Rye house flooding - Hertford East branch closed

[Class 170101]

Now not before December 24th

https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/travel-information/service-disruptions/hertford-east-branch-service-update-customers-advised-nothttps://www.greateranglia.co.uk/travel-information/service-disruptions/hertford-east-branch-service-update-customers-advised-not

Customers are advised that due to flooding caused by a burst water main at Rye House on the Hertford East branch, train services are suspended between Broxbourne and Hertford East. Train services are not currently expected to be restored until Wednesday 24 December

 

[aron2smith]

A post on Facebook shared some drone shots that were taken today, the sewage water as you can see is not far from the junction. Could be over 500 metres of flooded track if its similar the other way. This will take a while, can't imagine the smell for those who live there! https://www.facebook.com/groups/444185135749386/permalink/3245533052281233

 

[reddragon]

There's still one pumping station running awaiting tankers, so I read. There's only so many tankers in the country!

A monumental task and lot of people are not going to be home for Christmas this year.

I see no chance of trains before Christmas, maybe even the new year by looking at this.

I agree with comments up thread and elsewhere about over weight HGVs using the bridges. This rising main is near the end of its run near the works so at a low pressure, therefore ground movement as seen in road & bridge walls on street view as cracking look a real possibility.

 

[Hadders]

Looking at the photos the water is only a short distance from the large Sainsbury’s that serves stores throughout the country.

Having that depot out of use in the busiest week of the year would’ve caused massive disruption for customer facing availability.

 

[duffield]

Maybe a stupid question, but won't the track ballast all be contaminated? Is there a chance the track would have to be removed and all the ballast replaced or something? Or can it just be washed down in place?

 

[Horizon22]

Maybe a stupid question, but won't the track ballast all be contaminated? Is there a chance the track would have to be removed and all the ballast replaced or something? Or can it just be washed down in place?

The media did say extensive damage to the track and station and indeed GA's service status says the same:

We apologise for the significant inconvenience caused to customers. The extensive impact of the ongoing flooding, the complexity of the task and time needed to stem the flow, the work then needed to clean up the affected area, and the subsequent repairs required to both rail infrastructure (track and signalling) and Rye House station, all mean it is expected to take another five days to complete the necessary work and reintroduce the normal service.

 

[JKF]

Presumably Thames Water will be on the hook for the costs of the clean-up and lost railway revenue. What are the chances of them paying this before they get wound up or nationalised?

 

[aron2smith]

Looking at the photos the water is only a short distance from the large Sainsbury’s that serves stores throughout the country.

Having that depot out of use in the busiest week of the year would’ve caused massive disruption for customer facing availability.

Didn't even think of the Sainsbury Warehouse, worked there for a few weeks over Christmas 8 years ago, it's a huge site covering a large region all around. It definitely would've caused a ton of issues and shortages if the sewage reached it.

 

[Bald Rick]

Presumably Thames Water will be on the hook for the costs of the clean-up and lost railway revenue. What are the chances of them paying this before they get wound up or nationalised?

It will be their insurers.

 

[reddragon]

The flows are reported as fully under control this morning and that the railway clear up has started.

Incident Update - 10:25 23/12/2025

Our engineers continue to work day and night to resolve this incident.

Temporary pipes have now been installed above ground to help manage water flows. This will allow us to safely prepare for the permanent repair of the damaged pipe. The repair will take some time to complete.

Tankers remain in the area as a precaution and we hope to be able to reduce their presence later today.

We've also been pumping water from the railway station, and flood levels have reduced. Some areas remain affected, and we continue to work closely with Network Rail to address the remaining flooding and support the safe return of train services. When opened, access to the train station will be available via a temporary footpath.

Rye House train station remains closed. We’re working closely with Network Rail to reopen the station as soon as it’s safe. Please check National Rail for travel updates - Incident: Rye House | National Rail

We understand this situation continues to cause disruption and would like to thank customers and the local community for their patience. Further updates will be provided here by 19:30.

 

[Starmill]

Maybe a stupid question, but won't the track ballast all be contaminated? Is there a chance the track would have to be removed and all the ballast replaced or something? Or can it just be washed down in place?

I suppose most of the pathogens will be gone from washing it away and exposure once the flood of new waste stops, and no doubt there will be some bad damage underneath that we can't currently see. The actual standing water looks horrible though, I absolutely wouldn't want to come into contact with it. Ordinary flood water is of course full of the same bacteria, though given this isn't river water, it's almost certainly got a higher concentration of bacteria which could cause illness.

 

[86246]

Greater Anglia have confirmed that services to Hertford East will recommence tomorrow subject to final repairs and safety checks.

Hertford East Branch Service Expected to Resume on 24 December 2025

www.greateranglia.co.uk

Hertford East Branch Service Expected to Resume on 24 December 2025​

Overview​

Train services between Broxbourne and Hertford East have been suspended since 17 December 2025 due to flooding caused by a burst sewer pipe at Rye House.

Following the reduction of water levels, Thames Water has completed a full clean-up and sanitisation of the affected track and station areas. Network Rail engineers have also been replacing equipment damaged by the flooding.

Subject to the successful completion of final repairs, testing and overnight safety checks, Greater Anglia expects a full service to resume on the Hertford East branch on Christmas Eve, 24 December 2025.

 

[wagnaga]

https://x.com/i/status/2003550474826625157

Hertford East Branch Update

Services between Broxbourne and Hertford East have been suspended since 17 Dec due to flooding caused by a burst sewer pipe at Rye House.

Following clean-up and repairs by Thames Water and Network Rail [see below], we expect a full service to resume on Christmas Eve (24 Dec), subject to final repairs, testing and overnight safety checks.

⚠️ Services remain subject to last-minute change. Please check our website before travelling.

Christmas Eve reminder: Early shutdown with most services finishing by 22:00.

The line is due to reopen tomorrow subject to final checks.

 

[Tw99]

I suppose most of the pathogens will be gone from washing it away and exposure once the flood of new waste stops, and no doubt there will be some bad damage underneath that we can't currently see. The actual standing water looks horrible though, I absolutely wouldn't want to come into contact with it. Ordinary flood water is of course full of the same bacteria, though given this isn't river water, it's almost certainly got a higher concentration of bacteria which could cause illness.

It wasn't that long ago that raw sewage was routinely dropped from trains onto the track, so this is just a small revisit of those times...

 

[D6130]

It wasn't that long ago that raw sewage was routinely dropped from trains onto the track, so this is just a small revisit of those times...

....or - to be more accurate - a large revisit of those times!

 

[tomh72]

0Z62 seems to be moving north along the branch at the moment which is presumably the test train they said they were going to run tonight.

 

[aron2smith]

I'm impressed they have managed to resolve this so quickly. Definitely wouldn't want to be one of the ones using Rye House anytime soon after seeing what was there though.

 

[tomh72]

Looks like service resumed with 2O01 the 0530 Hertford East to Liverpool Street service this morning and services are even calling at Rye House.

 

[rower40]

0Z62 seems to be moving north along the branch at the moment which is presumably the test train they said they were going to run tonight.

Going through the motions?

 

[mr_jrt]

Going through the motions?

Bravo.

 

[david1212]

A post on Facebook shared some drone shots that were taken today, the sewage water as you can see is not far from the junction. Could be over 500 metres of flooded track if its similar the other way. This will take a while, can't imagine the smell for those who live there! https://www.facebook.com/groups/444185135749386/permalink/3245533052281233

Looking at the linked drone photos and Google Maps street view while major disruption to the railway it seems very fortunate that the railway contained the outfall rather than it flowing down to the houses to the east and the River Lee Navigation.

The Thames Water website page states

The repair area is being monitored around the clock, and access is now available to both platforms of the train station over the access bridge.

Earlier it had stated

When opened, access to the train station will be available via a temporary footpath.

It wasn't that long ago that raw sewage was routinely dropped from trains onto the track, so this is just a small revisit of those times...

True but the quantity was far less and requested not to dropped at any station.

 

[tomh72]

I've just been up to the station and had a look and it all looks quite under control now - there are two large above ground diversion pipes running over the bridge with one terminating on an access point at the corner of Plumpton Road and the other turning along the embankment between the station and the New River to an access point there.

A piece of the road on the platform side of the bridge is open as a footpath with a scaffold bridge over the temporary pipework and damaged roadway where the burst was and both platforms can be accessed from that path.

 

[DerekC]

Good work by Thames Water and NR to be able to reopen so soon. Didn’t seem likely to me, but happy to be wrong!

 

[Starmill]

It wasn't that long ago that raw sewage was routinely dropped from trains onto the track, so this is just a small revisit of those times...

It's certainly not a pleasant comparison is it. However it's worth remembering that's one person's business. This situation would be more akin to a whole tank being emptied at once, again and again, which would be far filthier than an HST flush was back in the day.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Dec 2025 ==

Good work by Thames Water and NR to be able to reopen so soon. Didn’t seem likely to me, but happy to be wrong!

Thank goodness they've managed to hose it all down so quickly.

 

[matt]

Reopened for @Magdalia to post an update.

 

[Magdalia]

Thanks.

The flooding last December caused some long term damage. In consequence, there is to be a 9 day closure of the Hertford East branch for track replacement between 17 and 25 October. I guess this is half term holiday week.

More details in this BBC report:

Flooded Hertford rail line to close for nine days for repair

The Hertford East branch line will see 1km (0.6 miles) of track replaced after severe flooding.

www.bbc.co.uk

A busy railway branch line will close for nine days for repairs after it was damaged during severe flooding in December.

A burst Thames Water sewer pipe flooded the tracks at Rye House station in Hertfordshire, with video showing water gushing over platforms.

Railway engineers will now replace 1km (0.6 miles) of track, meaning there will be no trains between Hertford East and Rye House from Saturday, 17 October to Sunday, 25 October.

 

[Mikey C]

It's lucky this wasn't south of the Thames, or else they'd have to renew the turd rail as well...

 

[SteveHFC]

Thanks.

The flooding last December caused some long term damage. In consequence, there is to be a 9 day closure of the Hertford East branch for track replacement between 17 and 25 October. I guess this is half term holiday week.

Half term is the following week.

 

[JKF]

Will operators send the bill for lost revenue to Thames Water? Not that they have any money to pay for it, it’s all gone on someone’s yacht.

 

[Acathater]

........ in the world of sewer rising mains.

That's a heck of a niche world, imagine it as a topic on "Mastermind"