Urgent repair work is taking place on a railway viaduct over the River Derwent in Workington, Cumbria.
During an inspection, engineers found the base of two supports had started to erode.
A wet February has resulted in fast flowing water that has damaged the riverbed and pillar.
Climate change is often viewed as a future problem but it’s already causing more frequent and more severe extreme weather events
Phil James, North West route director
The repairs will prevent any further deterioration of the pillars as without work, the pillars could fail and viaduct collapse.
All rail services have been cancelled whilst the engineers carry out the work, which is likely to take at least six weeks – this is due to the river being tidal, so work can only be carried out when the tide is out.
Passengers should check the Northern website for travel updates.
“Climate change is often viewed as a future problem but it’s already causing more frequent and more severe extreme weather events. We are now seeing the impact with more issues like the erosion of this railway viaduct over the River Derwent.
“I’m really sorry that passengers travelling to and from Workington are inconvenienced while we carry out this emergency work. The repairs will take longer than usual as we are only able to work while the tide is out. Our engineers are currently on site with our contractors and work has already started on the repairs.”
Phil James, North West route director
“We have a rail replacement bus service in operation between Workington and Carlisle to ensure our customers can get to their destination whilst this essential work is completed. For live, real-time journey updates, visit journeycheck.com/northern or message our team @northernassist on X, formerly Twitter.”
Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern
Responses
I see Network Rail is again blaming “climate change” for this bridge deterioration. This is nonsense – the Derwent hasn’t suffered any unusual flows this winter – or indeed for several Winters before. It looks instead as though Network Rail has been caught out by suddenly discovering this erosion which should have been picked by routine inspections up before it became an emergency.
But by conveniently blaming climate change the Network Rail route director seeks to deflect blame for this emergency away from himself and his department, who should be keeping on top of these typical infrastructure maintenance issues.
Why cannot Northern run a shuttle train between Carlisle and Flimby to connect with a buses to and from Workington station.A total bustitution to and from Workington/ Carlisle will take ages, particularly if it stops at all intermediate stations.Through journeys on Cumbrian coast line take a long time anyway.Such a bustitution would make through journeys untenable.
Or at the very least Carlisle to Maryport, with bustitution from Maryport to Workington.