MPs call for end to 'leaves on track' rail chaos

Two MPs have written to a train operator after a number of its services missed out stations due to "slippery" leaves on the track.

Some Northern trains have not stopped at Driffield, Beverley and Cottingham since the end of October.

Hull North and Cottingham Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson and Beverley and Holderness Conservative MP Graham Stuart have asked the operator how it plans to restore the normal timetable as soon as possible.

In her letter posted on social media, Dame Diana said the annual fall of leaves was "clearly not a new problem for the rail industry".

She wrote: "I would like to ask, therefore, what action, beyond just cancellations and not stopping at certain stations, you are taking with industry colleagues to clear leaves from tracks and restore the normal timetable as soon as possible?

"Further to that, what planning is being undertaken to prepare for future years and avoid the need for cancellations?"

Northern said although its Scarborough to Hull services were not calling at the three East Yorkshire stations, services to Bridlington were.

"A large amount of leaves have fallen on the tracks in East Yorkshire following two storms and when they are compressed in wet weather, they form a thin, slippery layer which can cause trains to slide," a spokesperson said.

"They are also interfering with the electrical signalling systems used to identify where trains are on the railway.

"This means some services are being held at red signals for longer, to ensure they keep a safe distance from other trains."

Stuart said the cancellations "feels like another slap in the face for people in East Yorkshire".

"It is annoying," the MP said.

"We all know that safety comes first and nobody's asking Northern to run unsafe trains, but passengers deserve a reliable service, good communications and we should, two, three weeks on, at least have got some answers."

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