Headline News

摘要

The current closure of the Settle & Carlisle line between Appleby and Carlisle is expected to run into 2017 because of the scale of repair needed. It was back in early February when movement of the line at Eden Brows, near Armathwaite, was detected, with around 500,000 tonnes of earth moving down one side of the Eden Gorge, towards the River Eden. The line was subsequently closed on February 9. Since then, a team of 80 people from Network Rail, including geotechnical and engineering experts, have been carrying out extensive preparatory work ahead of repairs, while also examining a long-term solution to the problem. The task has been made more complex because of the landslip's size, the fact it is still moving and its inaccessible location on a hillside. An access road to the site has been constructed, along with a works compound, while the up line has been removed; the down line remains in place for use by road-rail vehicles. With the slip having moved nearly two metres, there are fears that the permanent solution will cost several million pounds. In mid-May, a statement from Network Rail said: "While we acknowledge the engineering job required at Eden Brows is huge, we have said all along that the spring of 2017 is a reasonable estimate for the reopening." In the interim, Northern continue to run services from Leeds to Appleby (and vice versa), with a replacement bus service operating to and from Carlisle.