Ilkley to Bradford trains will remain suspended for several more weeks

Network Rail says train services through Baildon on the Ilkley to Bradford line will not return for several weeks as work following a landslide is progressing more slowly than anticipated.

Network Rail and contractor teams have been on site around the clock for almost a month, with the organization saying the “complex nature of the site” was to blame for the delays.

Road vehicles and other specialist equipment were used to remove over 1,800 tonnes of earth to stabilize the ground.

Initially, rail services were expected to resume from mid-March, but due to the complex environment at the landslide site, the line will remain closed for several more weeks.

A rail replacement service, implemented by train operator Northern, carried passengers through the area during the closure and will continue.

Services running between Ilkley and Leeds are unaffected.

Matt Rice, route director for Network Rail’s Northern and Eastern route, said: “We know that the train service through the area is important to local residents and we both regret this delay in reopening the line and are grateful for your continued patience of passengers. .

“The site is incredibly complex, which meant that the work could not be carried out as quickly as we had originally hoped.

“We continue to liaise with local residents affected by this landslide and various partner agencies to restore train service as soon as possible while maintaining a safe working environment.”

Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern, added: “All services between Bradford Forster Square and Ilkley remain suspended following the landslip near Baildon station – however services running via Bradford Forster Square and Leeds and Leeds and Ilkley, are not affected.

“A number of replacement rail services are in place to ensure passengers can still get where they want to be and we would encourage customers to ‘check before they travel’ to see how their journey is affected.

“We will continue to support Network Rail in any way we can as efforts to reopen the line continue.”

For the latest Northern information see https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/baildon-landslip