On Wednesday (25 March) and into Thursday, core routes were blocked by fallen trees and damage to overhead wires. In some cases, the support masts were destroyed. High winds caused significant disruption across the North West rail network, with fallen trees damaging overhead line equipment on routes between Manchester and Preston. Other incidents further south knocked out services to Wolverhampton.

Fraught freight flows

The incident near Lostock, outside Bolton, blocked a key artery used by both passenger and freight services. That forced cancellations and halted traffic while repairs were carried out. Lostock is midway between Manchester and Preston, and the line feeds into the West Coast Main Line. Further south, damage on the West Coast Main Line itself compounded the problem. That was a real headache for all traffic, and restricted capacity on the UK’s most important freight corridor.

Images of stranded passenger trains have illustrated the immediate impact of the storm. However, the consequences extended well beyond the passenger timetable. Freight services operating through the region — including flows linking Trafford Park, the Port of Liverpool, and inland terminals — were also affected by the loss of available paths. In a network with limited diversionary capability, even short sections of blocked line can have disproportionate consequences.

Capacity constraints ripple across the system

On Wednesday, most of the UK woke up to a sunny – albeit cold and moderately windy day. It was a different story for those on the West Coast. “The disruption has been caused by severe winds overnight,” said Darren Miller, infrastructure director for Network Rail’s North West route, delivering a statement on the day. “Trees [have knocked] down overhead power lines, severing connections, knocking down masts entirely, which causes major disruption.”

Britain’s passenger-intensive network has meant freight trains are held at terminals or looped en route, paths were lost or rescheduled at short notice. Congestion built up on alternative routes, where available. Fortunately, a diversion does exist at Lostock and on routes westward out of Manchester, which connect with the West Coast Main Line. Ironically, another blockage, further south on the WCML near Wolverhampton, left some capacity available for diverted workings.

The infrastructure agency Network Rail and the official passenger information service, National Rail Enquiries, warned of disruption until at least the end of Wednesday. That was still the case by early Thursday morning.

Despite the closure of the busiest rail artery in the UK, food and medical supplies are still vital and need to run. Trains which normally use the West Coast Main Line will still get through, thanks to an elaborate diversion plan.

Supermarket specials

Keeping those supermarket specials running ensures stocks of vital household goods and foodstuffs will reach the shelves, particularly in the north of England and remote parts of Scotland.

According to Network Rail figures, freight trains will move 34,000 tonnes of supermarket produce across the English-Scottish border this Easter weekend despite their usual rail route being shut for planned upgrades.

Junction replacement

Network Rail is replacing Euxton Lane Junction near Preston, a critical and busy location, serving passenger and freight trains running north – south, and to and from Liverpool and Manchester.

Freight operators are cooperating with a significant diversion via the East Coast and Edinburgh to ensure distribution centres are served as normal. This weekend, Scotland-bound freight trains will travel from Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT), in Northamptonshire, making a 100-mile (160km) detour via Derby, Sheffield, Doncaster, York and Edinburgh. If all goes according to plan, destinations including Mossend near Glasgow and Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, will be served as normal.

Critical frontline railway workers

David Hunter, senior route freight manager for Network Rail, praised everyone who is working over the Easter break, and especially during the current crisis. “During this very difficult time for Britain, the railway’s role is clear – to keep essential workers and vital supplies moving. For Britain to function, it needs the railway. We need our critical frontline railway workers. They are Britain’s hidden heroes”.

The works this weekend extend beyond the West Coast. In fact, sections of the East Coast will be closed near to London, where replacements and upgrades are talking place. The work will see the track renewed, with the old rail and sleepers removed and new ones installed, said Network Rail in a statement. The work will improve track quality in the area meaning smoother journeys and fewer delays.

Tunnel works in the west of England

There is also an extensive programme of works in Wales and the west of England. Affecting most routes in the part of the country, work will continue to maintain the drainage system in the historic Severn Tunnel, which is also being electrified as part of the upgrade of the main line between Wales, the west of England and London. 

Work is also being carried out at Paddington, the London terminus of the line. Structural repair work within the low-level parts of the station will stabilise an adjacent access road, which provides access for emergency vehicles to St Mary’s Hospital.

Network Rail says that other originally planned work has been postponed as it is either not possible to do within government guidelines on Coronavirus or is not immediately critical to the running of the railway.