Report concludes why track used by Norfolk train ‘washed away’

A report into a Norwich-to-Lowestoft train which narrowly avoided derailment after running onto a washed out section of track has found that Network Rail’s flood management processes were “not effective”. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) has published its report into an incident involving the Norwich to Lowestoft Greater Anglia service on Sunday, January 30, 2022.

At 7.45am on the morning of the incident, the train ran on to a washed out section of track next to the Haddiscoe Cut, between the Reedham and Haddiscoe stations. The train, which was crewed by a driver and a guard, was carrying five passengers.

The driver had seen that the track was flooded ahead of the train and so brought it to a stand. Once the train had stopped, the driver noticed that the ballast was washing away under the train. With the driver having determined it too dangerous to continue moving forwards, the decision was made to evacuate the passengers.

RAIB’s investigation found that “unusually high” water levels existed on the day of the incident due to a combination of tidal surge and tidal locking. Localised low spots in the flood defences next to the track then allowed water to enter the railway and wash away the ballast.

The ballast below the track washed away after a tidal surge (Image: RAIB)

The report found that the train involved was not prevented from entering the flooded section of track because Network Rail was not aware that water was entering the railway at the Haddiscoe Cut. It was also found by the RAIB that Network Rail’s flood risk management processes were not effective at warning that the track at Haddiscoe was at “serious risk” of flooding.

The RAIB said that Network Rail and the Environment Agency were not “effectively collaborating” and failed to manage a joint strategy which could prevent the railway from flooding. The Norwich to Lowestoft line was closed for several days while repairs were made to the track.

As a result of the investigation, the RAIB has made five recommendations. The report said: “The first is made to the Environment Agency and Network Rail and aims to ensure that railway‑related flood risk is managed appropriately alongside Haddiscoe Cut.

“The second and third recommendations are made to Network Rail and concern the integration of flood risk into their weather management strategies. The fourth recommendation is intended to improve interaction between Network Rail and those organisations responsible for tidal flood defences in England and Wales, while the final recommendation is intended to improve these interactions in Scotland.”

References

1. ^{^} Crumpetorium: ‘I tried six bold crumpet varieties from an artisan crumpet-maker and it was bliss’ (www.norfolklive.co.uk)