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NETWORK RAIL WESTERN ROUTE CONTROL, SWINDON

FROM: INCIDENT CONTROLLER, INFRASTRUCTURE

FROM: INFRASTRUCTURE INCIDENT CONTROLLER, NETWORK RAIL WESTERN ROUTE
TO: ALL TOCS, FOCS AND OTHERS CONCERNED
Western Route EWAT Friday 18th July

Amber alert issued by Met Office at 1123 for high rainfall from 0005 2355 Saturday 19 July, covering the Western route from Plymouth, through to Paddington, affecting all at risk earthworks sites east of Cornwall.

The forecast is for heavy, intense thunderstorms, with potential rainfall totals of 15 20 mm rain in a 10 minute period, and the potential for totals of over 30 mm, possibly up to 70 mm in localised areas in a 24 hour period.

The thunderstorms are tracking north from France, affecting the route from midnight tonight, lasting for the next 24 hours. There is high level of confidence in the likelihood of thunderstorms, with a low level of confidence about the exact locations affected.

The risk is of short duration events which could cause washouts, which may affect all earthworks assets, as well as those known to be in a poor condition.

There is also a risk of localised flash flooding and lightning strikes affecting the signalling and power supplies


Earthworks risk sites and mitigation:

E4 Box Thingley and Corsham, UML, blanket 50 mph to be wired out by control, supplemented by a berth triggered GSM-R reminder.

E5 Saltford Twerton viaduct, UM112 restricted to single yellow. Bristol night turn techs.

E7 Box Keynsham, DML, blanket 50 mph to be wired out by control, supplemented by a berth triggered GSM-R reminder.

E10 parts 1 and 2, Whiteball, no longer required drainage works completed. Part 3 Tiverton Cullompton, DML, boarded 50 mph ESR. Boards should be on site, bagged up. Taunton pway.

E11 UML, Newton Abbot West Dawlish, 2 sites, boarded 50 mph ESR. Newton Abbot pway.

E15 Badminton, blanket ESR DBL, Wootton Bassett Jn Chipping Sodbury, blanket 50 mph to be wired out by control, supplemented by a berth triggered GSM-R reminder, and up SWB Chipping Sodbury, boarded speed at east end of tunnel Bristol pway, will require a line blockage, infrastructure controller looking at access

E18 Cheltenham Lansdown not required, freight loop protects main line

E20 Up BGL2 Wickwar Charfield, boarded ESR, may be a signal restriction

E21 Down BSW, Patchway, boarded ESR Bristol pway

E22 down SWY, Woodborough Urchfont, Newbury pway after 2000 tonight

E26 down WEY, East Somerset Jn Bruton, boarded ESR, Castle Cary pway team erecting this afternoon

E27 Up WEY Castle Cary, Westbury night turn techs to carry out signal restriction
Down WEY, Bruton night turn techs to carry out signal restriction

E28 Up CCL Somerton ground frame, Castle Cary pway to erect boards this afternoon

E29, Down BAE2, Exmouth Jn Exeter Central, restrict E310 signal (St James Park) to approach control, Exeter techs overnight
Up BAE2 restrict EJ4 to approach control, Exeter techs overnight

If conditions ease on Saturday afternoon, preference is to remove restrictions prior to Saturday night possessions, otherwise will be done on Sunday morning.

Potential risk of spray on the Dawlish sea wall at high tide (1225 Saturday) if there are strong winds. Projects still working in the area, so need to be warned of the potential risks at high tide.

In addition to the earthworks risk, these thunderstorms also include the potential for strong winds causing some damage, heavy rain causing localised flash flooding and lightning strikes affecting signalling and power supplies.

Big bang and a bank of rain just passing over Melksham

.......at which the locals screamed, crossed themselves, put down their banjos and rushed outside with flaming torches and crucifixes to look for two headed sheep!  ;D