Greater Anglia say ‘do not travel’ after tree hits train and blocks railway
Essex residents have been told not to travel today by rail unless your journey is essential after a tree fell onto the railway, striking a train and blocking two lines. Greater Anglia services are suspended between Manningtree and Ipswich.
The train service provider says journeys from London to Ipswich and Norwich, Norwich to London and Ipswich to London will all be affected. Network Rail is on site removing the tree and a rescue train has been identified to remove the stricken train.
Services from Liverpool Street to Ipswich and Norwich will terminate at Colchester. From Norwich to London, trains will terminate at Ipswich and trains from Ipswich to Liverpool Street will start at Colchester.
A spokesperson for Greater Anglia said: "A limited Rail Replacement Bus service will be in operation between Colchester, Manningtree and Ipswich, with buses expected to arrive on site between 08:00 and 09:00. The Rail Replacement service will be operated by Panther Travel, Angie's Tours, Dans Coach Travel, Completely Travel, Klarners, Thompsons, Ipswich Buses, North Essex Travel, Flagfinders, Belles and Hedingham Travel.
"We are currently trying to source further Rail Replacement Buses. We are unable to guarantee the times of the Rail Replacement bus service, which will not run to a timetable."
They added: "Greater Anglia and Network Rail are sorry if your journey has been affected by this disruption. Specific train service alterations are available at Journey Check[2].
"Advance purchase tickets holders will be allowed to travel on earlier or later trains if their booked service is cancelled. If your journey with us has been delayed by 15 minutes or more, you may be entitled to compensation for a portion of your fare. For further information please visit Delay Repay[3].
"An explanation of the common causes of delays - and what we're doing to reduce their frequency and impact can be found on Delays Explained[4]."
References
- ^ Live updates as M25 blocked by 'watermelon spillage' causing miles of queues (www.essexlive.news)
- ^ Journey Check (www.journeycheck.com)
- ^ Delay Repay (www.greateranglia.co.uk)
- ^ Delays Explained (www.networkrail.co.uk)