Wednesday 2 December 2009

Landslips and water-flows affect rail travel in Wales

Arriva Trains Wales has announced, yesterday and today, closure of two lines in Wales. The landslip near Tondu is going to affect journey times to and from the capital from the Llynfi valley, as buses replace trains. The economic impact of the Caersws-Machynlleth closure is probably less than it would have been in the tourist season, but it is still troubling.

It is likely that both are related to the increased rainfall we have experienced in the last eighteen months. This is probably more to blame than any failures of maintenance, but perhaps Network Rail should look at uprating its standards in view of the undeniable effects of climate change.

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