Rail services continue to be severely disrupted in East Manchester as repairs are carried out after a mains pipe burst last week, flooding the line. The major leak has been stopped, Network Rail have said, but extensive repairs are still being carried out.
The full extent of the flooding was revealed in dramatic drone footage filmed by Network Rail, which showed a section of track completely submerged. Trains have been cancelled over several days in and around Tameside with no services running between Ashburys and Guide Bridge.
Network Rail has issued an update this morning (September 5) showing that extensive repairs continuing to be carried out on a bridge on Bessemer Street, in the Openshaw area between Ashburys and Guide Bridge. United Utilities are also still working on repairs to the mains pipe that caused the flooding, with rail disruption expected to carry on for some time yet.
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In a Tweet Network Rail's Manchester Piccadilly branch said: "United Utilities burst pipe repairs ongoing. We’ve shored up Bessemer Street bridge following flood damage. We’re now fixing a signalling fault which means @northernassist and @TPEassist are still disrupted through Guide Bridge. Thanks for your patience"
Network Rail said the Bessemer Street railway bridge - between Ashburys and Gorton stations - had effectively become a 'waterfall' which is why extensive repairs are needed before trains can run through the area again. This is the fifth day that delays and diversions have been in place.
Northern issued an update this morning saying: "Manchester Piccadilly to Hadfield/Glossop services where possible will operate between Guide Bridge and Hadfield/Glossop only in both directions. Rose Hill to Manchester Piccadilly via Guide Bridge will be diverted and not call at stations between Ashburys and Romiley in either direction, or may be cancelled."
It's suggestions for people needing to travel to these areas are:
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Passengers from Rose Hill may wish to travel to/from Marple into Manchester. Services between Manchester Piccadilly and New Mills Central / Sheffield are unaffected by this disruption.
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Passengers requiring Woodley are advised to use Bredbury station that is a 15 minute walk away using the Manchester Piccadilly to New Mills Central /Sheffield line
Rail replacement transport is also in place between Manchester Piccadilly and Guide Bridge and Guide Bridge to Romiley. Journey times will be extended by 45 minutes whilst travelling by rail replacement transport, they said.
In an update this morning, TransPennine Express said: "The line between Stalybridge and Manchester Piccadilly remains closed. Delays and short notice alterations are on going.
"Trains due to run between Stalybridge and Manchester may be altered to terminate and start at Manchester Victoria instead of Manchester Piccadilly. Ticket acceptance is in place for customers to travel on Metrolink service between Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly until further notice.
"Northern are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice. Arrangements have been made for TransPennine Express rail tickets to be accepted for these journeys."
Lisa Milner, Network Rail’s North West route operations manager, said on Saturday night: "We're working as fast as we can to make urgent repairs to Bessemer Street railway bridge so we can get trains running as normal again. Our advice remains to check National Rail Enquiries before you travel with longer journeys expected and some rail replacements buses in operation."
United Utilities customers in the area have been receiving their water from an alternative supply while the repair to the burst pipe is carried out. For the latest disruption advice, visit Network Rail Enquiries here.
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