Rebuilt Morley station on target for summer WORK to modernise Morley station on the Leeds-Manchester TransPennine route is making good progress towards its summer 2023 opening target date. The new station, which will be fully accessible and able to accommodate longer trains, is 75 metres from the existing LNWR station which dates from 1848. The move opens up opportunities to transform the platforms and track layout and that the current station can largely remain open for passengers whilst the new one is built. The new layout will be more suitable for the overhead masts needed for the electrification of the route. The town has seen growth in commuter traffic and has only one accessible platform along with limited parking, so the ability for longer trains to call will go some way to alleviate morning peak overcrowding towards Leeds. The line is due to be closed on February 4-12 while work to realign the track and install a new platform takes place.
Bridge hit again, just a week after repairs ONLY a week after extensive repairs were completed on a badly damaged Fosters bridge near Ketton on the Leicester-Peterborough line (RM December p82), the structure was hit again by an HGV on November 30, this time with minimal damage. In the original bridge strike on November 5, the impact of a skip lorry on the 13ft high bridge bent the external beam and decking so badly, Network Rail had to replace it with a spare bridge deck. This deck had to be fully refurbished prior to installation. The line fully reopened on November 23, once the collision protection beam was reinstalled. Network Rail is also looking at what other mitigation measures can be introduced to reduce the risk of a recurrence.