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Following a train derailment on the West Coast mainline at Shap in Cumbria, passengers are encountering considerable disruption for the second day in a row. The incident, which involved a Glasgow to London Avanti West Coast service traveling at 80mph, resulted in the train coming off the tracks. Although 87 people were on board, including staff, only four individuals sustained minor injuries, with no further hospital treatment necessary according to the North West Ambulance Service. Network Rail, responsible for the rail infrastructure, has since removed the train and repaired overhead lines, expressing confidence that disruptions between Preston and Carlisle will be resolved by Wednesday morning.
Despite facing challenging conditions, Network Rail’s teams have been tirelessly working to restore the railway service. Darren Miller, the infrastructure director for the North West, conveyed optimism that services would resume promptly. Although debris has been cleared and overhead lines restored, some track work remains ongoing. Avanti West Coast has advised customers against traveling beyond Preston temporarily, with ticket validity extended until Friday. The derailment has also impacted TransPennine Express services operating on the West Coast Mainline.
Network Rail disclosed that investigations into the precise cause of the derailment are ongoing, hinting at a potential collision with a landslip while the train was traveling at 80mph. Sam MacDougall, the operations director, suggested that the train came to an abrupt halt following the collision. Despite monitoring for landslides, Mr. Miller mentioned the challenges in pinpointing the cause of the incident. The mishap serves as a poignant reminder for safety measures and investments in rail infrastructure, echoing sentiments raised by Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale.
Farron expressed concerns over the recurring incidents in the vicinity and emphasized the necessity for comprehensive infrastructure reviews and maintenance protocols. He vowed to address the issue in the House of Commons, urging the government and Network Rail to prioritize long-term infrastructure enhancement on the West Coast Mainline. The derailment prompted a swift evacuation and transfer of passengers to the Shap Wells Hotel immediately following the incident. Plans for service resumption are underway, utilizing advanced technology and substantial investments to enhance the resilience of the railway network. The Department for Transport confirmed an allocation of £44bn to Network Rail for the management and modernization of railways across England and Wales, underscoring the imperative of prioritizing safety and efficiency in rail operations
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