Towards the end of October, we experienced a disrupted few days across our network as a result of the severe weather brought by Storms Austen and Boelo. High winds and stormy conditions led to 34 tree-related incidents, including 23 fallen trees, prompting a huge response from colleagues across the business. Their efforts helped manage the impact of the disruption and keep passengers moving wherever possible.
The next few months could bring some of the most severe weather Britain has faced in years. A very strong El Niño and an active Atlantic storm track is forecast to bring above-average rainfall, strong winds and multiple named storms. That means a greater risk of flooding, fallen trees, landslips and damage to railway infrastructure.
I am writing to let you know that teams across the railway are working hard to prepare – carrying out extra inspections, improving drainage, managing vegetation and strengthening infrastructure to reduce the impact on journeys wherever possible.
Examples of proactive weather resilience work
We take proactive action to mitigate against the impacts of severe weather throughout the year. And now, by working closer together as an integrated railway, as well as utilising new technologies across track and train, we’re stepping this up with a range of measures to prepare us for the months ahead.
Recent and ongoing examples of action aimed at preparing for autumn and winter weather challenges across the South Eastern Railway network include:
Flood cameras expanded to 13 sites, with new video-based systems and AI alerting.
Water-level sensors installed in drainage chambers (catchpits) at 3 sites.
Drainage upgrades at key risk sites.
A programme of vegetation management which is supported by on-board cameras to help us monitor our network for potential trouble spots.
Working with technology suppliers to develop and strengthen our alerting capability, helping operational teams identify potential issues earlier and take action.
Our ask of you
We will do everything we can to keep trains running safely this autumn and winter – but even with all the preparation and joined-up working going on across the railway, severe weather may still cause significant disruption.
We would greatly appreciate your support in helping to inform those travelling this autumn and winter of the challenging conditions the railway will be operating in and the impact that it could have in disrupting their journey.
We would like to ask you to:
Share our travel advice and the possible impacts of severe weather on the railway with your networks
Share Network Rail’s online and social weather content with your networks.
Where appropriate, add your voice to support our work to mitigate and manage disruption and the value of climate resilience investment in enabling us to continue to do so.
If you would like any more information on what we are doing as a railway to prepare for the expected weather disruption this autumn and winter, or would like to arrange a meeting or virtual call to discuss further, please email public.affairs@southeasternrailway.co.uk.
Yours sincerely,
South Eastern Railway Stakeholder Team.