The problems on the Merseyrail network that brought commuters to a halt this summer were “unprecedented” it has been claimed.
In May and July this year, rail users were left frustrated when large numbers of train services were withdrawn and timetables cut back because of faults on the rolling stock. The older 507 and 508 fleets suffered issues with wheel bearings, which can lead to a seized axle and could cause a train derailment.
As a result, Merseyrail deemed the issue as safety critical and put the brakes on a large number of services. The initial suspected cause of the bearing faults is electrical currents flowing through the bearing as opposed to being returned to the rail head as designed.
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In a statement, a Liverpool City Region Combined Authority spokesperson said of the issues: “Analysis has found the faults were a result of electrical currents flowing through the bearings, causing pitting.” A report to the combined authority outlined the issues found amid the chaos earlier this year and was the subject of discussion when members met at Mann Island this afternoon.
Richard McGuckin, director of place at the combined authority, said while two issues were expected on the network a month, around 300 were experienced in a matter of weeks. This was an “unprecedented” level of disruption and failings, he said.
The current fleet of Merseyrail trains are to be replaced by a long-awaited £500m stock of new models which should start to be rolled out in the coming weeks and months. It is hoped all the current trains will be replaced by new ones within 18 months.
The failings in the summer forced Andy Heath, managing director of Merseyrail, to issue a public apology and described the situation as “unexpected”. Mr McGuckin said further external investigations are underway by Network Rail and SNC Lavalin on the faults earlier this year to provide further reassurance and “identify the root cause” of the problems.
Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said he hoped the external findings would “shut up some of the conspiracy theorists on social media.” Services are now running as normal on the network, with no further interruptions expected.
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