RAIL FLOODING: London Midland cancels ALL trains between Rugby and Milton Keynes

London Midland is advising rail commuters to find alternative transport as few trains are running between Rugby and Milton Keynes due to flooding.
Virgin Trains has tweeted a picture of the flooding on the rail lineVirgin Trains has tweeted a picture of the flooding on the rail line
Virgin Trains has tweeted a picture of the flooding on the rail line

Heavy rain has caused several areas of the railway to flood and some faults with the signalling and electrical equipment have also developed.

Affected areas include a tunnel near Crick, between Rugby and Long Buckby, a tunnel near Kilsby, south of Rugby; the Wolverton area, near Milton Keynes; and Patford Bridge, near Whilton.

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All trains between Rugby and MIlton Keynes were cancelled in the morning and early afternoon but, shortly after 4pm London Midland started to run some services to and from Northampton.

However the train company says there will be disruption for the rest of the day between Rugby and Euston. As so many trains are now out of position some services in tomorrow’s peak may have fewer carriages than normal.

A London Midland spokesman said “We are doing everything we can to operate as many trains as possible through these affected areas. Unfortunately passengers can expect disruption for the rest of the day. If you have a London Midland ticket dated for today but choose not to travel you will be able to use it on Thursday

“Once the floodwater subsides we are still faced with trains and traincrew out of place across the network. This may mean some trains could have fewer carriages than normal. The advice is please allow more time and check your journey before you travel.”

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A Virgin Trains spokesman said all its trains between Rugby and Milton Keynes were running at reduced speeds.

Network Rail has been pumping water from two tunnels and a number of other sites to try and return services to normal as quickly as possible.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “Heavy rain and running water from nearby land has led to several different areas of flooding on railway lines in the Rugby, Northampton and Wolverton areas.

“Our staff are on site and closely monitoring the water levels in all these areas while doing everything possible to reduce the impact on trains as much as possible.

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“Safety is the number one priority which is why temporary speed restrictions have been put in place which allow trains to keep moving through the affected areas.

“We are working closely with Virgin Trains and London Midland to minimise the impact as much as possible and return services to a normal timetable as quickly as possible.”

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