DISRUPTION as a result of Storm Dennis is continuing in Wales, where some routes remain closed.
Transport for Wales customer delivery director Bethan Jelfs said: ‘Whilst the situation on the rail network has improved in the past 24 hours, with lines reopening and others expected to reopen today, there continues to be significant damage to the network and limited replacement road transport available, and it’s inevitable that some services will be subject to disruption.’
National Rail Enquiries reports that there are no trains running from Pontypridd to Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil or Treherbert, between Ebbw Vale Town and Crosskeys, or Rhymney and Bargoed.
Other routes closed by weather damage include the Heart of Wales Line between Shrewsbury and Llanelli, where only very limited bus replacements can operate, and the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, because floods have damaged the track at Dovey Junction, Llanaber and Criccieth.
The Conwy Valley Line was once again badly damaged by floods north of Llanrwst, and as a result there are no trains between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno. Network Rail engineers have found several sites where the ballast was washed away by floodwater. The storm also damaged fences and level crossings, and it is not known when the line will be able to reopen.
In England, no trains are able to serve East Grinstead because of a landslip which occurred at the end of December but which was worsened by Storm Ciara. Another landslip had also closed the line between Horsham and Dorking, but it is hoped that trains will return on 20 February.
In London, Overground trains will also start running again between Gospel Oak and Barking tomorrow, after a wagon derailed and damaged 4km of track.
In Scotland, another subsiding embankment means that train services between Kilmarnock and Dumfries will remain suspended for a further four weeks. The line has been closed since 10 February, when storms caused the River Nith to wash away an embankment beneath the railway.
There was better news for passengers at Rotherham Central in South Yorkshire, where trains returned yesterday afternoon after the station had been closed by floods caused by Storm Dennis.