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COTSWOLD LINE REOPENS Following the 3 to 4 inches of rain which fell in the area on Friday 20th July, severe flooding has occurred at various places along the Oxford to Worcester Railway line. As a result, the line was closed at around 1300 on Friday. The line reopened throughout at 1430 on Friday 3rd August, but with some severe temporary speed restrictions which will extend journey times. Although no reasons were originally given for such a long break in services, it is now evident (as will be seen from the photos below) that a vast amount of work was needed to check and remedy any damage done to structures along the route, and this could not easily be undertaken until the water subsided. Divers had to check the foundations of the numerous bridges along the route. The most serious damage has occurred at Adlestrop and Evenlode, between Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh. Embankments had been washed away in several places involving a temporary road having to be constructed to gain access to the track at Adlestrop. Flood Photo Gallery.
The first train to run between Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh on Friday 3rd August was an extended 1527 shuttle from Oxford. In the opposite direction, the shuttle was booked to return to Oxford at 1614, but ran late due to severe speed restrictions. Afterwards, the 1722 Paddington to Hereford was diverted back to its proper route via Evesham and a normal service was resumed. The first train in the opposite direction was the 1941 from Great Malvern to Oxford. A normal service operated from Saturday 4th August. However, 20 mph speed restrictions on long sections of reinstated track between Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh almost doubled journey times between these stations. Cumulative delays of up to 20 minutes were experienced, particularly when two trains are timed to pass at Evesham. Speed restrictions were eased on Monday 13th August, so delays of up to 5 minutes were then anticipated. Normal 90mph line speed running permitted from Friday 17th August. There should no longer be any delays caused by the flood damage. To achieve this situation in less than a month, having regard to the amount of damage sustained, is a very creditable performance on the part of Network Rail. Despite this earlier than anticipated reinstatement of services, the bus link between Honeybourne and Toddington planned for Sundays 5th August to 9th September DID NOT OPERATE. A decision was taken during the last week of July that the service should be cancelled in view of uncertainties about the reopening of the Cotswold Line and the reliability of its trains following the flood damage and also the discovery that engineering work affecting parts of it is planned for several of the Sundays involved.
Summary of Progress:
Item added on 22nd July 2007 (last updated at 2030 on 9th September). |
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