Hatfield spoil heap collapse could cause delays to Selby Bridge works
The complex job of stabilising the spoil heap at Hatfield colliery which slipped and caused extensive damage to the railway could have a knock-on effect for planned works on Selby Rail Bridge.
Selby
Network Rail has been working with experts from the colliery since movement was detected in early February. Initial estimates had indicated the line could be restored as soon as July. However a combination of difficult conditions onsite together with the recent bad weather have put the completion date in jeopardy.
It is now feared that the works may take until the end of the summer to complete, potentially coinciding with a programme of planned repairs to the railway’s swing bridge at Selby.
Other works to the bridge include a full reconstruction of the road bridge, track and rail bearer replacement along with a full grit blast and painting of the structure.
Whilst it is still planned that the will go ahead as scheduled, the chance that the works could coincide represent a major challenge for Network Rail’s train planners. The damaged line from the colliery land slip is on the diversionary route which would normally be used in circumstances where a route to Hull via Selby was not available.
First Hull Trains and Northern Rail are working with Network Rail to establish an alternative diversion to ensure that Hull remains connected with Doncaster and onward routes. Details will be published as soon as they are available.
Arrangements are already in place for First TransPennine Express’ 15 Manchester to Hull daily services to terminate at Selby with both stopping and express buses running to Hull.
Northern Rail’s 24 trains per day will be running to Selby with a bus replacement service between Selby and Howden and a train service between Howden and Hull. An express bus service will also operate between Hull and York direct.
Aditionally, around 8-10 freight services to and from Hull Docks will operate via Snaith whilst the bridge renewal works takes place.
The swing bridge was built between 1850 and 1899 for the North Eastern Railway Company, the 160-year-old swing mechanism engineered by Sir W.G.Armstrong of Mitchell & Co.