The first images of a landslip that has caused rail issues on the East Coast Mainline and other UK routes have been released - as engineers try to resolve the problem.
Since yesterday (Wednesday, November 8) morning, journeys from London to Edinburgh and localised journeys in the North East have been impacted after a landslip emerged just outside Aycliffe.
Passengers are being encouraged to check their journey before travelling, due to certain rail companies having some of their routes impacted as a result of the landslip.
An image of the landslip near Aycliffe (Image: LNER)
While the issue is confined to County Durham, it's causing widespread issues for passengers travelling to London or Edinburgh, alongside connecting trains.
Engineers are currently trying to work on the problem and fully reopen the second train line and allow the rail network to be back to normal.
Our colleagues at @networkrail are onsite just north of #Darlington following the discovery of a landslip yesterday morning.
— London North Eastern Railway (@LNER) November 9, 2023
We are currently able to operate a full service through the affected area, although due to amended working, services may receive some delay. pic.twitter.com/i039LWagxh
In images, released by LNER, the landslip can be seen near Aycliffe, with a concrete structure seen sticking up from a muddy embankment.
Network Rail has said that it will be working round the clock to fix the landslip.
However, disruption is expected to carry on throughout today (Thursday) while repair work continues.
A concrete structure sticks up from the landslip (Image: LNER)
Passengers are being encouraged to check their journey before they travel via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator, with LNER, CrossCountry, Lumo, TransPennine Express, and Northern services being affected.
Some LNER and CrossCountry services are continuing to run between Darlington and Newcastle in both directions.
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Ticket acceptance is in place between different operators, but passengers are encouraged to check online or via their operator’s social media channels for up-to-date information.
Paul Rutter, route director for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said: “Our teams are working hard to repair damage to the railway in Aycliffe. While we want to minimise disruption to travellers, the safety of passengers is our top priority.
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“We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause to journeys and we want to thank passengers for their patience and understanding while we carry out this vital work.”
A spokesperson on behalf of train operators said: “We want to thank our passengers for their patience as Network Rail carries out essential work to the railway in Aycliffe. There is a reduced service in place which is expected to continue into Thursday.
“We are advising passengers to check before they travel with National Rail Enquiries or via their train operator.”
Here is customer advice from train companies regarding tickets:
LNER
- LNER are running trains in both directions through the affected area today.
Ticket acceptance is also in place with the following:
- Avanti West Coast between London Euston, Manchester Central, Edinburgh
- TransPennine Express between Manchester, Leeds, York and Newcastle
- CrossCountry via any reasonable route, including services between Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, Leeds and Doncaster.
TransPennine Express
- TransPennine Express services cannot run today in either direction between York and Newcastle. Road replacement transport will operate between York and Newcastle in both directions until further notice. Please speak to station staff or the station help points for more information.
- Tickets dated 9 November will be valid for use tomorrow, Friday 10 November.
You can use your ticket today on the following at no additional cost:
- CrossCountry between Leeds / York and Newcastle (please note that these services are impacted by this incident)
- East Midlands Railway between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly / Manchester Oxford Road
- LNER between York and Newcastle (please note that these services are impacted by this incident)
- Metrolink between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria
- Northern via any reasonable route including between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester stations, and between Manchester stations and Leeds / York
CrossCountry
- CrossCountry are running trains in both directions through the affected area today.
Route(s) affected
- CrossCountry services between Reading and Newcastle, and between Plymouth and Aberdeen / Edinburgh / Glasgow Central, also between Birmingham New Street / Bristol Temple Meads and Edinburgh
- LNER services between London Kings Cross and Aberdeen / Edinburgh / Glasgow Central / Inverness / Newcastle / Stirling / Sunderland, also between Leeds and Aberdeen
- Lumo services between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh
- TransPennine Express services between Liverpool Lime Street and Edinburgh / Newcastle, aslo between Manchester Piccadilly / York and Newcastle
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