Network Rail has released details on how quick-thinking staff helped keep passengers and local residents safe after a landslip in Upholland, Lancashire.

During Storm Jorge, on Saturday 29th February, a 15m fault line appeared in Pimbo Lane in Upholland at the top of a railway cutting.

Two elderly residents were evacuated from their home by engineers. In addition, the trains were made to run at reduced speeds in the area.

Over the following three days, Network Rail completed emergency repair work, digging out and shoring up the slope on the Kirby-Wallgate line.

A permanent repair to the railway cutting in Upholland is planned over the next few weeks and residents are back in their homes.

What did the officials say?

Rosie Cooper, MP for West Lancashire, said:

“This incident could have been very serious but thankfully Network Rail’s vigilance has meant this was avoided and thankfully repair work was carried out immediately to the railway cutting near residents’ homes – residents were very pleased.”

Phil James, North-West route director at Network Rail, said:

“Persistent heavy rain brought by successive storms has saturated the ground and weakened our embankments and cuttings across the North West.

“As part of our routine monitoring work, I’m proud that our emergency response teams kept people and trains safe from this landslip on the Kirkby to Wigan Wallgate line that was caused by Storm Jorge.

“We also showed that we care about our lineside neighbours by immediately strengthening the slope, so residents could safely and quickly return to their homes.”

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