Track collapse near Haddiscoe, Norfolk
A Class 755 Stadler FLIRT (Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train) operating the 7.25 am. Greater Anglia service from Lowestoft to Norwich is assessed by engineers after a very high tide and strong winds caused ballast supporting the tracks to be washed away beside the New Cut near Haddiscoe in Norfolk.
The Greater Anglia 8.17am service from Great Yarmouth to Norwich made a diversion from Reedham station to pick up five stranded passengers. It then continued with its journey to Norwich. No one was injured and the train did not derailed.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) published its report into an incident involving the Norwich to Lowestoft Greater Anglia service on Sunday, 30th. January 2022. At 7.45 am. on the morning of the incident, the train, which was crewed by a driver and a guard, was carrying five passengers. ran on to a washed out section of track next to the New Cut, between the Reedham and Haddiscoe stations.
The driver had seen that the track was flooded ahead of the train and so brought it to a stand. Once the train had stopped, the driver noticed that the ballast was washing away under the train. With the driver having determined it too dangerous to continue moving forwards, the decision was made to evacuate the passengers.
The RAIB investigation found that 'unusually high' water levels existed on the day of the incident due to a combination of a tidal surge and tidal locking. Localised low spots in the flood defences next to the track then allowed water to enter the railway and wash away the ballast. The report found that the train involved was not prevented from entering the flooded section of track because Network Rail was not aware that water was entering the railway at the New Cut. It was also found by the RAIB that Network Rail’s flood risk management processes were not effective at warning that the track at Haddiscoe was at 'serious risk' of flooding.
The RAIB said that Network Rail and the Environment Agency were not 'effectively collaborating' and failed to manage a joint strategy which could prevent the railway from flooding. The Norwich to Lowestoft line was closed for several days while repairs were made to the track.
Track collapse near Haddiscoe, Norfolk
A Class 755 Stadler FLIRT (Fast Light Intercity and Regional Train) operating the 7.25 am. Greater Anglia service from Lowestoft to Norwich is assessed by engineers after a very high tide and strong winds caused ballast supporting the tracks to be washed away beside the New Cut near Haddiscoe in Norfolk.
The Greater Anglia 8.17am service from Great Yarmouth to Norwich made a diversion from Reedham station to pick up five stranded passengers. It then continued with its journey to Norwich. No one was injured and the train did not derailed.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) published its report into an incident involving the Norwich to Lowestoft Greater Anglia service on Sunday, 30th. January 2022. At 7.45 am. on the morning of the incident, the train, which was crewed by a driver and a guard, was carrying five passengers. ran on to a washed out section of track next to the New Cut, between the Reedham and Haddiscoe stations.
The driver had seen that the track was flooded ahead of the train and so brought it to a stand. Once the train had stopped, the driver noticed that the ballast was washing away under the train. With the driver having determined it too dangerous to continue moving forwards, the decision was made to evacuate the passengers.
The RAIB investigation found that 'unusually high' water levels existed on the day of the incident due to a combination of a tidal surge and tidal locking. Localised low spots in the flood defences next to the track then allowed water to enter the railway and wash away the ballast. The report found that the train involved was not prevented from entering the flooded section of track because Network Rail was not aware that water was entering the railway at the New Cut. It was also found by the RAIB that Network Rail’s flood risk management processes were not effective at warning that the track at Haddiscoe was at 'serious risk' of flooding.
The RAIB said that Network Rail and the Environment Agency were not 'effectively collaborating' and failed to manage a joint strategy which could prevent the railway from flooding. The Norwich to Lowestoft line was closed for several days while repairs were made to the track.