Working at a rate of knots, Network Rail engineers have worked around the clock to repair a cracked crossing at Huyton. The vital piece of track is vital to the railway as it allows trains to move from one track to another.

Discovered on Tuesday the 18th of October, the fault created huge disruption for passengers as trains needed to run across the areas at only 5mph in order to prevent any further damage.

The repair was complex in nature and could only be completed through the night when trains do not run as it required the entire damaged section to be removed and replaced with a new component in order to get the busy line back in action.

Following the emergency repair work, both passenger and freight trains are now able to run close to normal speeds over the repaired track with the line open for the start of service once again this morning (Wednesday the 19th of October).

Network Rail will closely monitor the repaired railway section and has put a 50mph speed limit in place which is not expected to affect train schedules today.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “I’m sorry to passengers who’ve been affected by this crucial component of the railway failing yesterday and we’ve been working as fast as we can to safely keep people on the move.

“Thankfully our team of engineers were able to carry out their complex repairs overnight and I’d like to thank passengers for their patience during this period of unexpected disruption.”

To find out more about how Network Rail undertakes repair work on the railway, please visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/track/

Customers are reminded that during times of disruption that up to date travel information can be found by visiting: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk.