This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8314114.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Rail line leaf delays 'slashed' | Rail line leaf delays 'slashed' |
| (about 1 hour 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." | 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. |
| Not so long ago, autumnal leaves on the tracks were the scourge of train passengers across the UK. | |
| Fallen foe? | |
| This seemingly unstoppable force was blamed for the nation's rail infrastructure grinding to a halt each year. | |
| Just 10 years ago, in a story headlined "Railtrack 'beaten' by leaves on line", the BBC News website reported that the then rail operator had admitted defeat in the battle against leaves. | |
| Despite spending more than £50m on new technology to address the seasonal problem, it feared that it would "never beat nature". | |
| While Railtrack's successor Network Rail has stopped short of saying leaf-related delays are now a thing of the past altogether, a spokesman said a "slight performance dip" in the autumn was "nothing compared with before". | |
| A number of train operators including Chiltern Railways, London Midland and National Express East Anglia have introduced 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 has announced 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. |
| London Midland also operate a leaf fall timetable which commences this year on 26 October and ONLY applies to the Cross City service from Redditch to Birmingham New Street - none of the other services which use the line are affected. An extra 8 or so minutes is added to the journey time and I (and my fellow travellers) could accept this if the train proceeded at a slower speed for the duration of the journey. However, this is NOT the case. On the outward journey to New Street the train sits at Longbridge station for approximately eight minutes then proceeds at its normal speed to New Street. On the return journey the train sits at either Longbridge or Barnt Green for eight minutes. This farce continues for six weeks. Although amazingly enough on Sundays the timetable reverts to normal running time. We therefore assume that leaves must observe Sunday as a day of rest and do not fall. Incredible!! | |
| Denise Simpson, Redditch | |
| My trains from Ipswich are all leaving 2 minutes earlier each morning to make up the leaf delays. The effect has been ruined by an epidemic of broken down trains and other infrastructure problems that is making almost every train I get on late. The service is a nightmare and my actual travel experience bears no relation whatsoever to the train company's statistics! | |
| Stuart Jackson, Woodbridge, England | |
| I have been commuting on the electrified line between Reading and London Waterloo for many years and I have to agree that the leaf fall issue has largely disappeared. Nearly all the lineside trees are now trimmed well back and journeys now start 3 minutes earlier at stations out of London. Together with the generally reliable trains used on the Reading line I have to say South West Trains provide a good service. | |
| Mike Johnson, Wokingham, Berkshire | |
| 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 |