Signalling failure Rugby/MKC

[Bungle965]

I should point out that i think that a lot if not the most of the LM front line staff do a fantastic job (specially the ones at Watford J) but it is my belief that there control could do with a shake up on how they handle disruption. For instance instead of broadcasting false information that they could have given passengers slightly more useful information, Neil Williams highlighted how LM could have helped in that situation, but yet far to often LM just seem to give up. Adopting the policy of well at least we tried, which i dont personally think is good enough.
Sam

 

[snowball]

NR press release

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...ecord-river-levels-contribute-to-flood-delays

The West Coast main line is returning to normal today (Thursday) after floods caused severe delays yesterday.

The River Avon at Rugby recorded its highest ever level at 10pm on Wednesday (9 March), peaking at 3.6m, following heavy rain. This beat the previous high of 3.53m in April 1998.

Localised flooding occurs if the river hits 1.08m. Levels rose significantly throughout yesterday. At 6am the river was at 1m and by 6pm that depth had more than tripled.

Several sections of railway flooded, including two tunnels south of Rugby, which were continuously pumped out by Network Rail’s orange army for several hours. More than 50 men and women from Network Rail were on the ground to pump water away from the affected areas and carry out essential safety checks. Temporary speed restrictions were put in place to keep trains running safely through the affected locations.

Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “The heavy rain overnight and throughout the early hours caused levels of the River Avon to rise to record levels and several sections of the railway were flooded. Our engineers were out in force with equipment to pump water away from the tracks and keep trains moving as best as possible.”

Contrary to reports, Euston station was extremely busy but British Transport Police were not required to form human barriers.

 

[All Line Rover]

Further accurate reporting from the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35790137.

What is the significance of the statistic that VTWC has suffered an average of five severely delayed trains (30+ minutes late - at the destination station presumably) per day? This is not reflective of VTWC's punctuality. VTWC's right-time punctuality is poor, particularly at intermediate stations, but 'severe' delays tend to be concentrated on days where there is a significant problem without VTWC's control. The photograph on the BBC article would appear to be of Euston station on the Wednesday just gone. The BBC should have included a photograph of the M1 for good measure.

And "campaign groups wants customers to be told - for example, by a public announcement on the train - that they are entitled to get some money back and compensation forms to be handed out." VTWC's guards told passengers multiple times, for goodness sake! And there were dozens of VTWC staff handing out Delay Repay forms at Euston station!

 

[DarloRich]

I should point out that i think that a lot if not the most of the LM front line staff do a fantastic job (specially the ones at Watford J) but it is my belief that there control could do with a shake up on how they handle disruption. For instance instead of broadcasting false information that they could have given passengers slightly more useful information, Neil Williams highlighted how LM could have helped in that situation, but yet far to often LM just seem to give up. Adopting the policy of well at least we tried, which i dont personally think is good enough.
Sam

called out and changed your mind ?

 

[Bungle965]

called out and changed your mind ?

Not at all.
Sam

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Always impressed by WFJ staff .......apart from keeping the station in very good order - the level of information is spot on ....

 

[PHILIPE]

From the Guardian:

Quote
Police form human barriers at Euston as flooding causes chaos on Midlands rail routes

Heavy rain knocks out services between Rugby and Milton Keynes, causing severe overcrowding at London terminus

British Transport police officers formed human barriers at Euston station as heavy flooding led to severe rail disruption and overcrowding at the London terminus.

Officers locked together in front of the main concourse to prevent passengers from gathering on the platforms, and told travellers they were trying to ensure safety. One told passengers that people had fallen from trains earlier and warned that people could be killed. He added that police were at the station due to a shortage of rail staff.

Hundreds of passengers gathered in the station, looking up at the information boards, which indicated that most trains were delayed. Overhead announcements informed passengers that “heavy rain” had caused flooding between Rugby and Milton Keynes, with trains subject to “short notice cancellations and delays”.

One passenger, Lou Davies, who lives near Watford, said: “There were quite a lot of police. They were standing in lines to stop people getting down the corridors that lead to some of the platforms. They said the trains had been delayed because of flooding and they were there to keep people safe. It was odd. There weren’t many train staff around. There were a lot of people waiting. Pretty much all the trains were delayed.”

The Environment Agency had issued 43 flood warnings across England and Wales as of 8.30pm on Wednesday following heavy rainfall, with the majority being for areas in the Midlands.

Train operator London Midland said the severe flooding in several areas had caused problems with signalling and electrical equipment, leaving it unable to run trains between Rugby and Milton Keynes.

Passengers were also advised by the train operator that bus replacement services were “not an option” due to the weather conditions in some parts of Northamptonshire.

Although London Midland resumed some services to and from Northampton, the firm said it expected disruption for the rest of the day between Rugby and London Euston.

A London Midland spokesman said: “Unfortunately passengers can expect disruption for the rest of the day. Once the floodwater subsides we are still faced with trains and train crew out of place across the network. This may mean some trains could have fewer carriages than normal. The advice is please allow more time and check your journey before you travel.”

In addition to the problems on the trains, the rainfall caused problems on the roads in the Midlands.

The A43 between Towcester and Northampton was shut due to flooding while driving conditions on other roads were made difficult by standing water on the carriageway.