Weather disruption caused in 2014, and how to prevent it happening again - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

As grahame has posted above, based on the briefings we were given at the TravelWatch SouthWest meeting in Taunton earlier today, the basic signalling at Penzance has now been repaired, enabling pilotman working to start from tonight.

Some further services (but not necessarily the full timetable services) may be able to run from tomorrow, and more on Monday.  Hopefully. 

[SandTEngineer]

Penzance station reopened and signalling working: http://www.cornwallrailwaysociety.org.uk/newspage---latest-news-reports-and-photographs.html

[TaplowGreen]

Just a thought.....notwithstanding all the work being done at Dawlish, it would be good to think that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) are taking advantage of non flooded but closed areas of line to bring forward/undertake any track/signalling works that were planned in for later in the year, removing the need for alterations/bustitution once (if!) everything is back to normal again?

Or am I thinking too logically/hopefully? 

[AMLAG]

Realistically, whilst some very urgent & small tasks may be able to be very locally initiated & arranged, one has to remember that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) - the Western area Management and directly employed staff in particular - is I suspect fully stretched not only in dealing with the vast amount of complicated & deadline major works including Reading, Gauge enhancements, Electrification, Re-signalling, New trains etc. etc.
Now added to by major remedial works to numerous storm & flood damage locations; the bulk of which these days relies on numerous Consultants,Contractors, sub contractors and casual labour forces...quite a challenge to an organisation in a constant flux of change!

[Electric train]

Just a thought.....notwithstanding all the work being done at Dawlish, it would be good to think that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) are taking advantage of non flooded but closed areas of line to bring forward/undertake any track/signalling works that were planned in for later in the year, removing the need for alterations/bustitution once (if!) everything is back to normal again?

Or am I thinking too logically/hopefully? 

It gets difficult to change programed works, some of the equipment will not have been manufactured or indeed the detailed design completed, it is possible that some of the contracts have not been awarded.
 

[grahame]

Just a thought.....notwithstanding all the work being done at Dawlish, it would be good to think that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) are taking advantage of non flooded but closed areas of line to bring forward/undertake any track/signalling works that were planned in for later in the year, removing the need for alterations/bustitution once (if!) everything is back to normal again?

Or am I thinking too logically/hopefully? 

It gets difficult to change programed works, some of the equipment will not have been manufactured or indeed the detailed design completed, it is possible that some of the contracts have not been awarded.
 

However, if I understood their speaker correctly on Saturday, that they've moved from repairing a minimum possible length where something has failed to extending the repair to adjoining areas that could fail in the future. The example quoted was Hullavington, where there was considerable expense in getting equipment to the site, and the fix wasn't just the slipped length but also adjoining areas that could well have slipped as well within the next few years.

But in addition to the issues Electric Train reports, Network Rail are probably rather stretched at the moment and doing further maintenance while the line is closed would probably lead to other maintenance jobs being delayed, other programs being put back, or other closed lines taking longer to re-open due to suitable staff and equipment being even thinner on the ground

[ellendune]

They might do more work than necessary in the areas where they have to work, but remember bringing additional materials into West Devon & Cornwall is not going to be easy at the moment and as other have said all their available resources of management contractors and are likely to be dealing with the immediate tasks.

[Electric train]

Graham, I agree that where a repair is being made due to the recent weather extending the repair area, within reason, makes sense the plant and men are already mobilised.  What is more difficult to bring forward is say things like bridge replacement, signalling, major S & C renewals etc.

I know in the case of the flooding at White Waltham contractors and NR^» (Network Rail - home page) staff from Crossrail assisted, the Hand Signalmen were Crossrail contractors.  Project teams often assist when things go wrong however diverting project teams for too long from their programmes can in the long run prove very costly in both time and financially.

[TaplowGreen]

...........well I've got to go home to Plymouth next week, normally treat myself to a 1st class return on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) however I can't face all the faffing about changing at Exeter for replacement buses etc so am braving a National Express charabanc, about a third of the price but I fully expect to get what I pay for!!!

Anyone got any experience of these trips? I haven't been on one since those far off days when I was a baby Janner!

 

[ChrisB]

Leather seats usually - together withy a guarantee of a seat.

[Pb_devon]

Dawlish rail line to reopen on 4 April, Network Rail says:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26433185

The main line at Dawlish was severely damaged after a storm destroyed the sea wall in early February

The storm-damaged railway line that connects the South West to the rest of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) will reopen earlier than planned on 4 April, Network Rail has announced.

The line at Dawlish was wrecked on 4 February, when massive waves left the tracks suspended in mid air.

Ten days later, when new storms caused further damage, Network Rail said the route would remain closed until the middle of April.

The news has been welcomed by business leaders throughout the South West.

Chris Pomfret, chair of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, said it was "very, very good news".

"Dawlish is critical for the rail link to Cornwall and it was critical it opened before Easter," he told BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) News.

"This is now three weeks before Easter - so that's great.


Network Rail said it had been working around the clock to reopen the route as quickly as possible

"The managing director of Network Rail said they were working 24 hours a day when we were at the select committee and he hoped to bring it forward. I'm delighted that he has."

'Fantastic progress'
 
However, Mr Pomfret said there remained the ongoing concerns about "proper" transport links to Cornwall, which could include an alternative rail route which would avoid Dawlish and/or a breakwater to protect the coastal route.

Network Rail said it had always been conscious of the importance of the railway to the South West's economy and teams had been working around the clock.

"Over the last 10 days in particular, we've made fantastic progress and we're happy to say that we can bring forward the opening of Dawlish to Friday 4 April," MD Patrick Hallgate said.

The work at Dawlish had been the most challenging Network Rail had experienced "in years", because of access difficulties and weather conditions, he added.

The announcement means all First Great Western tickets will now be available from 4 April.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the early reopening would be a "real boost" for local communities and businesses.

Having seen the scale of the damage at Dawlish for himself, the minister added, he also wanted to thank Network Rail's staff for their tireless work.


Repairs were delayed when further storms wrecked a temporary sea wall and caused more damage

can someone insert the full text please - done!  bobm

[ChrisB]

In the circumstances, exactly two months is extremely good going!

[bobm]

A view from the local residents directly affected by the loss of the seawall.

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Dawlish storm residents unable to go home

Shane Manning is unable to return to his home

A month after storms forced residents in a Devon town to leave their homes, many have been unable to return to their properties.

Twelve families in Dawlish are still in temporary accommodation until they are allowed back into their homes in Riviera Terrace.

The railway line at Dawlish was wrecked on 4 February when massive waves left the tracks suspended in mid air.

Network Rail announced on Tuesday the line would reopen on 4 April.

Shane Manning, who has been unable to return to his home, said: "Life is surreal.

"You go to work and everything is fine. You go home and you haven't got your everyday life bits you can relax with.

"It is like living in limbo."

Mr Manning's home was one of the worst affected by the storm, with one of the family cars still trapped on site.


The railway line was left suspended in mid-air as waves destroyed the sea wall, track and nearby road

Homeowners on the sea front were told to leave immediately when the sea wall and rail line in front of their houses collapsed in the bad weather at the beginning of February.

Residents had to grab their most precious possessions and go as parts of the ground under their houses fell away.

Many were put up initially in the Sea Lawn Lodge in the resort.

Gerry Belcher, the hotel owner, said many people arrived "in just their nightclothes".

Bev Green, another resident in temporary accommodation, said: "It's a bit up in the air, but we're coping."

Peter Large, who has moved back into his home, admits to "checking the tide times everyday".

He said: "Let's hope it was just a one-off experience. We have no intention of moving."

[Red Squirrel]

"It's a bit up in the air, but we're coping."

'Sic', as they say...

[paul7575]

The lobstervision webcam is now showing the first few 'L-shaped' precast wall sections being fitted, from about 1530 onwards on 6th March.   I presume the sections are fastened with some sort of drilled fixing into the lower level of concrete block work that forms the seaward facing side?

https://www.lobstervision.tv/home

username and password = "dawlish"

Paul