Rail delays disrupt thousands

Last Modified: 02 Jan 2008
By: Alex Thomson

Train operators warn passengers not to use their services - or face delays of up to two hours.

Engineering problems

Network Rail has apologised for separate engineering overuns which shut the main rail route between London, Birmingham and Glasgow - and forced London's Liverpool Street station to stay closed for another day.

Staff shortage

A shortage of specialist engineers has been blamed - but train companies and passengers are furious.

Network Rail operations and customer services director Robin Gisbey said the overruns were "completely unacceptable" and added that an investigation into what had gone wrong had started.

Mr Gisbey said he was "deeply sorry" about the further disruption to passengers.

What happened?

The work was initially scheduled to finish on New Years Eve.

However, Network Rail delayed the return of services until New Year's Day. But just hours before the line was due to reopen, Network Rail told Virgin the line would have to stay closed for another day.

Trains were then meant to resume this morning - but were delayed again - as Network Rail admitted the work was still not finished.

It's hard to credit -- but here's what happened. Network Rail suddenly realised they didn't have enough skilled people to do the job. 40 people short on shifts needing 400. It was work planned months in advance -- and they simply didn't get enough people in.

Fare rises

The travel misery was compounded by the fact that this was the day that new higher-than-inflation train fares came into force.

Train operators said the cost of most season tickets will climb by an average of 4.8%, while other fares such as cheap day returns will rise by 5.4%.

Passenger groups said the fare hikes would send a "chill wind" down platforms, but rail bosses said the money would help pay for new trains, better service and station upgrades.

Network Rail could get a multi-million pound fine after work on the West Coast Mainline at Rugby didn't finish on time.

Station update

Network Rail said a further update on when normal services would resume on the West Coast line would be available tomorrow morning.

Services to and from Liverpool Street on West Anglia and Stansted Express routes were to resume in time for this evening's rush-hour.

But suburban services were continuing to terminate at Stratford station in east London. A full service was expected to run from tomorrow morning.