A major water leak which led to widespread flooding over 5km of railway track has now been stopped, Network Rail has revealed, but the subsiding waters have revealed damage to a railway bridge.
Trains have been cancelled and lines closed as thousands of gallons of water poured out over track lines in and around Audenshaw in Tameside. The full extent of the flooding was revealed in dramatic drone footage filmed by Network Rail, which showed a section of track completely submerged.
Rail passengers have now been reminded to check before they travel as work continues to repair the flood-damaged tracks.
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Network Rail said the Bessemer Street railway bridge - between Ashburys and Gorton stations - had effectively become a 'waterfall' and urgent repairs to the bridge's mortar were now taking place. Trains continue to be suspended as a result for a fourth day today - Sunday.
In a statement issued on Saturday night, Network Rail said: "United Utilities has now stopped the major water leak onto the railway in Audenshaw, but it has revealed damage to a railway bridge. For the last three days Bessemer Street bridge between Ashburys and Gorton stations has become a waterfall.
"Thousands of gallons of fast flowing water have fallen from the railway above into the road below, flooding it and washing away mortar inside the structure
"It means trains travelling through the area will be suspended for a fourth day on Sunday 4 September while Network Rail engineers make urgent repairs.
"Train services cannot run in either direction between Manchester Piccadilly, Rose Hill and Hadfield, as well as Stalybridge and Leeds via Guide Bridge. Once again passengers are being advised to check www.nationalrail.co.uk before they travel and allow extra time for their journey." Rail replacement bus services are running.
Network Rail said disruption to some TransPennine Express services was continuing, and anyone travelling in or out of Manchester from Yorkshire is strongly advised to check before they travel.
Lisa Milner, Network Rail’s North West route operations manager, said: "I'd like to apologise to passengers who continue to be impacted by the burst water main in Audenshaw. While it’s good news United Utilities are well underway with the repair to their broken pipe, the aftermath of more than 5km of railway being underwater for over two days was only revealed when the water subsided.
"We're working as fast as we can to make urgent repairs to Bessemer Street railway bridge so we can get trains running as normal again. Our advice remains to check National Rail Enquiries before you travel with longer journeys expected and some rail replacements buses in operation.”
"Since the early hours of Thursday morning water has been flooding the railway from the burst pipe near Fairfield station. It flooded a stretch of railway more than 5km long."
In a website update, United Utilities said: " All customers are now receiving their water from an alternative supply while the repair to the burst pipe continues. We have been able to make good progress and have now isolated the pipe which has burst and affected the railway line so this will stop any water continuing to flow from it. We have worked through the night to re-route supplies for customers who normally receive their water from this pipe and this has now been completed.
"It is possible that some customers may experience fluctuations in water pressure during periods of peak demand but we are doing everything we can to continue to maintain a normal supply. We also have our fleet of water on wheels tankers in the area to pump additional water into the network of pipes should it be needed.
We will now be working with Network Rail on plans to begin work on repairing the pipe at the rear of Lord Lane, which is in a forested embankment close to the railway line, so we can get everything back to normal for the community and rail users. This may mean there will continue to be some localised road closures and diversions while the repair is ongoing."
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