Train services in West Yorkshire that have suffered seven weeks disruption because of a landslip between Knottingley and Pontefract Monkhill were reinstated this morning, Monday, 29 April.

The landslip happened in early March and caused the slippage of an embankment.

Since then, Network Rail engineers have worked round-the-clock to rebuild it using over 2,000 tonnes of stone and installing a new 30-metres-long retaining wall to strengthen the land.

The slippage also required 60 metres of track to be removed and relaid, as well as associated work on signalling and telecommunications cables.

Network Rail believed that the landslip was caused by the prolonged period of wet weather earlier this year.

However, during their investigations, engineers discovered minor voids underneath the embankment that are thought to be connected with historic mineral mining in the area.

Discovery of the voids resulted in a more complex task than originally planned, resulting in a longer time to complete the work and reopen the line. At the same time as engineers worked to reinstate the railway infrastructure above the embankment, extensive work was also carried out to fill the voids.

To ensure that the embankment remains safe for trains to run over it, a temporary speed restriction has been imposed through the area and engineers will continue to monitor the embankment for any future slippage.

During the disruption, Northern provided a rail-replacement bus service to maintain a passenger service.

Over the next five years, Network Rail will invest £60m in Yorkshire and the North East to minimise disruption because of severe weather.

Major drainage schemes have been planned throughout the region and new dedicated drainage roles are being created for Network Rail’s North & East route.

Although train services have been restored between Knottingley and Pontefract Monkhill, services between Ilkley and Bradford are still not running because of a landslip at Baildon.

I want to say a huge thank you to our passengers and lineside neighbours for their understanding, patience, and acceptance during the disruption they have faced and of the need to work around-the-clock close to their homes.

I’m delighted that we have completed this major repair work so that the people of Knottingley and the surrounding areas can once again travel freely by train.

Our engineers have worked incredibly hard over the last seven weeks to carry out this work as quickly and as safely as possible and I want to thank them, also, for their dedication and work ethic.

We will continue to monitor the embankment to make sure trains can continue to pass safely through the area.

Jason Hamilton, Route Director for Network Rail’s North & East route

We’re delighted to be able to resume services on the line between Pontefract Monkhill and Knottingley. Our colleagues at Network Rail have worked round-the-clock to make the line safe for our customers and we appreciate the patience and understanding shown by the people affected by this issue over recent weeks.

Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern