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| Rail line leaf delays 'slashed' | Rail line leaf delays 'slashed' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The number of severe train delays due to leaves on the line has been "slashed", according to Network Rail. | The number of severe train delays due to leaves on the line has been "slashed", according to Network Rail. |
| In 2003, UK commuters were delayed for a total of 3,000 minutes due to leaves, but chopping overhanging branches and modern trains have reduced the problem. | In 2003, UK commuters were delayed for a total of 3,000 minutes due to leaves, but chopping overhanging branches and modern trains have reduced the problem. |
| Last month 93.6% of trains ran on time, according to Network Rail. It said: "Our action has slashed delays." | |
| However, some train operators implement leaf fall timetables, allowing for slower journeys as a safety precaution. | However, some train operators implement leaf fall timetables, allowing for slower journeys as a safety precaution. |
| While Network Rail stopped short of saying leaf-related delays were a thing of the past altogether, a spokesman said a "slight performance dip" in the autumn was "nothing compared with before". | While Network Rail stopped short of saying leaf-related delays were a thing of the past altogether, a spokesman said a "slight performance dip" in the autumn was "nothing compared with before". |
| Chiltern Railways and National Express are among a number of train operators to use a leaf fall timetable. | Chiltern Railways and National Express are among a number of train operators to use a leaf fall timetable. |
| Fallen leaves land on the rail surface and are crushed by the train wheels to form a thin, but extremely slippery coating on the rail First Capital Connect | Fallen leaves land on the rail surface and are crushed by the train wheels to form a thin, but extremely slippery coating on the rail First Capital Connect |
| Similarly, First Capital Connect trains has announced that it is "extending morning journey times by a few minutes" in order to "deliver a more consistent service through the autumn". | Similarly, First Capital Connect trains has announced that it is "extending morning journey times by a few minutes" in order to "deliver a more consistent service through the autumn". |
| The operator, whose trains run between London, Brighton, Bedford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King's Lynn, said certain morning peak trains will leave earlier "during the leaf fall period". | The operator, whose trains run between London, Brighton, Bedford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King's Lynn, said certain morning peak trains will leave earlier "during the leaf fall period". |
| Explaining its decision, the train operator stated on its website: "Fallen leaves land on the rail surface and are crushed by the train wheels to form a thin, but extremely slippery coating on the rail; rather like black ice on the roads. | Explaining its decision, the train operator stated on its website: "Fallen leaves land on the rail surface and are crushed by the train wheels to form a thin, but extremely slippery coating on the rail; rather like black ice on the roads. |
| "Whilst this is not dangerous, it reduces the rate at which trains can speed up and slow down; this in turn extends journey times." | "Whilst this is not dangerous, it reduces the rate at which trains can speed up and slow down; this in turn extends journey times." |
| According to Network Rail, thousands of tonnes of leaves fall on to railway lines each year. | According to Network Rail, thousands of tonnes of leaves fall on to railway lines each year. |
| It says there are are 21,000 miles of track to keep clear and the cost of pruning and felling trees is between £20,000 and £50,000 per mile. | It says there are are 21,000 miles of track to keep clear and the cost of pruning and felling trees is between £20,000 and £50,000 per mile. |
| But it said its policy of managing vegetation by tracks means the issue of fallen leaves is no longer a news story. | But it said its policy of managing vegetation by tracks means the issue of fallen leaves is no longer a news story. |
| A Network Rail spokesman said: "Passengers generally don't notice a difference in performance in autumn. | A Network Rail spokesman said: "Passengers generally don't notice a difference in performance in autumn. |
| 'Geographical' variation | 'Geographical' variation |
| "Passengers want a reliable service all year round and that is generally what they are getting." | "Passengers want a reliable service all year round and that is generally what they are getting." |
| Hassard Stacpoole, a spokesman for the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc), said a number of its members "have a special timetable in place on some routes that may be affected". | Hassard Stacpoole, a spokesman for the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc), said a number of its members "have a special timetable in place on some routes that may be affected". |
| He said such measures are taken on a "geographical" basis and "depend on the nature of the railway" being operated. | He said such measures are taken on a "geographical" basis and "depend on the nature of the railway" being operated. |
| Mr Stacpoole stressed that leaves on the line are no longer the serious problem they once were for a number of reasons. | Mr Stacpoole stressed that leaves on the line are no longer the serious problem they once were for a number of reasons. |
| The Atoc spokesman said Network Rail has, in recent years, applied a policy of cutting down trees that hang over tracks wherever possible. | The Atoc spokesman said Network Rail has, in recent years, applied a policy of cutting down trees that hang over tracks wherever possible. |
| This policy has been coupled with the rolling out of modern fleets of trains. | This policy has been coupled with the rolling out of modern fleets of trains. |
| And an adhesive substance called Sandite is applied, using dedicated trains, to combat the slipperiness of leaves. | And an adhesive substance called Sandite is applied, using dedicated trains, to combat the slipperiness of leaves. |
| In the past, leaf-related delays highlighted inefficiencies in the UK's rolling stock and railway infrastructure - especially when contrasted with high speed rail routes in Europe. | In the past, leaf-related delays highlighted inefficiencies in the UK's rolling stock and railway infrastructure - especially when contrasted with high speed rail routes in Europe. |
| Are you a rail user? Have your journeys been affected by leaves on the line? Tell us your experiences using the form below. | Are you a rail user? Have your journeys been affected by leaves on the line? Tell us your experiences using the form below. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |