Landslip between Rugby and Coventry. (11/02/24)

[D1537]

And now there's a landslip between Rugby and Coventry, line partially blocked, Rail Replacement buses in operation. Disruption expected until Tuesday according to National Rail.

Coventry to Rugby landslip

Information for journalists, press, bloggers and the media about Network Rail. Contact the press office to receive news, updates, press releases, videos, pictures, and factsheets, and to arrange interviews, filming and photography

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Edit 12/02: Up line blocked only, reduced Avanti service using the down

 

[D1537]

Nothing going between Rugby and Coventry now. Avanti Brum services that aren't cancelled going up to Stafford and back down the WCML. A couple of Brum trains are now Voyagers so they can go via Nuneaton. Glasgow services via Brum simply going via the Trent Valley.

 

[Jimini]

Quick update on ticket acceptance now up on the AWC website (Chiltern / XC / GWR options for tomorrow):

Tickets are being accepted on LNWR trains on any reasonable routes today, and on CrossCountry Trains between Coventry and Stafford. From Monday 12 February there will be additional ticket acceptance on Chiltern Trains between Birmingham Moor Street and London Marylebone, and CrossCountry Trains between Birmingham New Street and Reading and with GWR trains between Reading and London Paddington.

 

[jfollows]

Nothing going between Rugby and Coventry now. Avanti Brum services that aren't cancelled going up to Stafford and back down the WCML. A couple of Brum trains are now Voyagers so they can go via Nuneaton. Glasgow services via Brum simply going via the Trent Valley.

Some of the Glasgow/Edinburgh services reversed at both Wolverhampton and Stafford today; I’m guessing that tomorrow they won’t though.
EG 9M60 16:51 Edinburgh- Euston should be approaching Wolverhampton around now.

 

[Boodiggy]

Some of the Glasgow/Edinburgh services reversed at both Wolverhampton and Stafford today; I’m guessing that tomorrow they won’t though.
EG 9M60 16:51 Edinburgh- Euston should be approaching Wolverhampton around now.

They will be in the Up direction tomorrow. Most 9Gxx and 1Bxx cancelled

 

[james_the_xv]

LNR Twitter post showing the extent of the slip. Saying NR are expecting hidden challenges so I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up lasting the whole week.

 

[Efini92]

LNR Twitter post showing the extent of the slip. Saying NR are expecting hidden challenges so I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up lasting the whole week.

Could be longer depending on how much work is needed to stabilise the cutting.

 

[PyrahnaRanger]

LNR Twitter post showing the extent of the slip. Saying NR are expecting hidden challenges so I wouldn't be surprised if this ends up lasting the whole week.

Normally I’m an advocate of sharing as much information as possible, but this is one of those times where it doesn’t always work as this looks like it’s a fairly simple job of trimming that bush back! Just goes to show you can’t win can you?

 

[The Snap]

Normally I’m an advocate of sharing as much information as possible, but this is one of those times where it doesn’t always work as this looks like it’s a fairly simple job of trimming that bush back! Just goes to show you can’t win can you?

That isn’t a simple fix. The vegetation is clearly covering a slumped section of the earthwork which has slipped down onto the track.
Assessments of the earthwork will be required to see how deep seated the failure is - there’s a good chance the failed slope and the area either side of the failure will need completely digging off, stepping and reinstating with large stone/rock fill.

Looking at the length of the slope there will be some large excavators needed to do the work, probably accessing at the top of the slope from the field above. All this plant, labour and material needs mobilising, access to the land arranging etc.

Trust me it’s not a simple fix. I have lots of experience in managing these kinds of repairs on the railway over the last 15 years.

Unfortunately these issues will continue to happen on our railways because of the way they were built in the first place. Slopes are often over steep because at the time in the 19th century that was deemed suitable…in this case it’s looks about 60 degrees slope angle which is over 1 in 1. Modern standards, such as those being applied on HS2, require a 1 in 2 slope which is far less likely to fail.
There’s also a chronic lack of drainage at the crest of cuttings meaning water is often not intercepted before it runs down the slope and soaks into the earthwork causing it to become sodden and heavy, and subsequently fails.

 

[Watershed]

access to the land arranging

Section 14 of the Railway Regulation Act 1842 gives Network Rail the power to enter adjoining land to repair embankments and cuttings - without notice in the case of "necessity" - meaning there is no need to consult with the landowner or obtain their permission.

Of course, there are many other constraints but I would be surprised if this is a particular issue. Unless by "access" you mean constructing access roads?

 

[P Binnersley]

It looks like Coronation Road, Church Lawford. Looking at Google the adjacent cutting slope has had major stabilisation work done to it (some time 2009-2021).

 

[Taunton]

It looks like Coronation Road, Church Lawford. Looking at Google the adjacent cutting slope has had major stabilisation work done to it (some time 2009-2021).

If you are correct in the location there are very substantial cutting side works going on here in August 2023, just 6 months ago, taken from the Coronation Road overbridge:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.co.uk

 

[jfollows]

Up services from Scotland seem to be calling at Stafford, Wolverhampton, Tamworth and Nuneaton now, for example https://www.journeycheck.com/avantiwestcoast/

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Good luck getting from Wolverhampton to Tamworth (including reversal at Stafford) in 24 minutes.

 

[D1537]

At least two up Wolverhampton services have gone Wolverhampton > Birmingham NS > Wolverhampton > Stafford > Euston, which seems an excessive way to provide a direct Brum-Euston service!

Realtime Trains | 1R07 0603 Wolverhampton to London Euston | 12/02/2024

Real-time train running information for 1R07 0603 departure from Wolverhampton to London Euston on 12/02/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Nottingham59]

Section 14 of the Railway Regulation Act 1842 gives Network Rail the power to enter adjoining land to repair embankments and cuttings - without notice in the case of "necessity" - meaning there is no need to consult with the landowner or obtain their permission.

It also says that "such powers shall cease [if the] exercise is not necessary for the public safety". With the line stopped it's gone beyond that stage.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Good luck getting from Wolverhampton to Tamworth (including reversal at Stafford) in 24 minutes.

What about via Walsall/Cannok?
Is electrified but I don't know about how bad traffic would be, or if the route is cleared
Wouldn't require reversals

 

[james_the_xv]

It looks like Coronation Road, Church Lawford. Looking at Google the adjacent cutting slope has had major stabilisation work done to it (some time 2009-2021).

Another tweet showing the area. Looks like it. NRE are currently saying disruption until 0500 tomorrow (revised from EOD tomorrow) but can't see that happening unfortunately.

 

[The Planner]

What about via Walsall/Cannok?
Is electrified but I don't know about how bad traffic would be, or if the route is cleared
Wouldn't require reversals

It requires a reversal at Rugeley and they dont sign the route.

 

[Watershed]

It also says that "such powers shall cease [if the] exercise is not necessary for the public safety". With the line stopped it's gone beyond that stage.

Not quite - it says that the powers shall cease "if the lords of the said committee shall, after considering the said report, certify that their exercise is not necessary for the public safety" (the DfT are the successors to "the lords of the said committee"). So the powers don't stop until the DfT says so.

I would be very disappointed if NR is allowing such a narrow-minded interpretation to hinder repairs. By that reading, the power could almost never be exercised!

 

[D1537]

Good luck getting from Wolverhampton to Tamworth (including reversal at Stafford) in 24 minutes.

The Tamworth and Nuneaton times are too early and the train has 39 minutes from Nuneaton to Rugby. In practice, a train going Wolverhampton-Stafford-Rugby is not really any slower than one going direct but stopping at Sandwell, BNS, International and Coventry.

 

[PTR 444]

At least two up Wolverhampton services have gone Wolverhampton > Birmingham NS > Wolverhampton > Stafford > Euston, which seems an excessive way to provide a direct Brum-Euston service!

Realtime Trains | 1R07 0603 Wolverhampton to London Euston | 12/02/2024

Real-time train running information for 1R07 0603 departure from Wolverhampton to London Euston on 12/02/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Are there enough Voyagers to divert London - Brum services via Water Orton?

I’m due to travel Milton Keynes Central - Euston this Friday on an Avanti service originating from Glasgow. Hopefully the Trent Valley diversion won’t affect the timings too much.

 

[D1537]

Are there enough Voyagers to divert London - Brum services via Water Orton?

No, although the 0550 Wolverhampton-Euston was one this morning and went via that route, whilst the 0704 Shrewsbury-Euston is a Voyager anyway. Both dropped only about 10-15 minutes between Wolverhampton and Rugby.

 

[The Planner]

Not quite - it says that the powers shall cease "if the lords of the said committee shall, after considering the said report, certify that their exercise is not necessary for the public safety" (the DfT are the successors to "the lords of the said committee"). So the powers don't stop until the DfT says so.

I would be very disappointed if NR is allowing such a narrow-minded interpretation to hinder repairs. By that reading, the power could almost never be exercised!

Depends even with whatever powers there are, the farmer doesnt stand there saying no with a shotgun. It happens.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Feb 2024 ==

The Tamworth and Nuneaton times are too early and the train has 39 minutes from Nuneaton to Rugby. In practice, a train going Wolverhampton-Stafford-Rugby is not really any slower than one going direct but stopping at Sandwell, BNS, International and Coventry.

Depends if the drivers are stipulating the 15 minutes for a reverse, which they do for a planned service.

 

[JW4]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Feb 2024 ==

Ex-Blackpool (cancelled to Preston) also scheduled to be doing Tamworth and Nuneaton calls.

 

[BrianW]

Similarities to Carmont? 'Lessons learned' regarding slopes of cuttings etc in relation to original 'design assumptions' and increased rainfall intensities since and into the future? The case a few years back on the Chilern line (I forget details) may also be relevant. There is (increasing?) literature on the benefit or otherwise of roots holding ground together.

Edit- the 'incidents' at Yarnton and Culham bridges may also be relevant as indicators of insufficient attention to maintenance matters, put at further risk by cuts in budgets, similarly a factor in delays in 'follow-up' to the death at Lady Howard's Crossing. Maintenance matters.

 

[MrJeeves]

At least two up Wolverhampton services have gone Wolverhampton > Birmingham NS > Wolverhampton > Stafford > Euston, which seems an excessive way to provide a direct Brum-Euston service!

Realtime Trains | 1R07 0603 Wolverhampton to London Euston | 12/02/2024

Real-time train running information for 1R07 0603 departure from Wolverhampton to London Euston on 12/02/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Are they doing this, or are they starting at New Street, then going to Wolverhampton ~60L?

 

[A0]

What is the reason that nothing is being run north of Northampton ? Isn't it possible to run at least between Northampton and Rugby to minimise the bustitution ?

 

[jfollows]

Are they doing this, or are they starting at New Street, then going to Wolverhampton ~60L?

https://www.recenttraintimes.co.uk/Home/Service?ServiceId=119507759 implies that 1R07 did indeed start from Wolverhampton today, 5R07 certainly arrived in time, so RTT has over-written the up times with the later times from the reverse direction I think. Mind you, if I'd rushed to make the 06:03 departure I'm not sure I'd have been happy to see Wolverhampton again an hour later.

 

[Jimini]

Another tweet showing the area. Looks like it. NRE are currently saying disruption until 0500 tomorrow (revised from EOD tomorrow) but can't see that happening unfortunately.

NRE now saying until the end of tomorrow again now.