Landslip leads to train cancellations at Preston, Leyland, Chorley and Buckshaw Parkway

A landslip on the railway line between Leyland and Bolton is causing delays and cancellations for commuters this morning (August 26).
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The landslip happened at around 7.20am on a stretch of track between Buckshaw Parkway and Chorley and is causing disruption to trains running along the line between Preston and Bolton.

It means no trains can run between Leyland and Bolton, affecting journeys to and from Buckshaw Parkway, Adlington, Chorley, Lostock, Horwich Parkway and Blackrod.

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Engineers are on site this morning to clear the blockage (pictured), which is believed to have been caused by heavy rain.

The train operator said disruption is expected until around 9.30am, with all trains running through these stations either delayed, cancelled or diverted.

Road transport has been requested from Preston to Bolton, said Northern.

Rail replacement buses to run as follows:

4 x full size coaches will depart Preston between 8am and 8.15am calling at all stations to Bolton. These will be operated by S Line Travel, Coastal Coaches and Express Travel .

The landslip happened between Buckshaw Parkway and Chorley and is causing disruption to trains running along the line between Preston and BoltonThe landslip happened between Buckshaw Parkway and Chorley and is causing disruption to trains running along the line between Preston and Bolton
The landslip happened between Buckshaw Parkway and Chorley and is causing disruption to trains running along the line between Preston and Bolton

What is a landslip?

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A landslip (also known as a landslide) on the railway is generally defined as when soil, rocks and earth fall onto and either wholly or partially obscure the track.

Landslides can occur anywhere, moving either slowly or quickly. When they impact on railways, roads and other infrastructure, they can cause a lot of disruption.

They commonly occur when the ground becomes saturated with water after long periods of heavy rain. As the earth becomes heavier, the water forces apart grains of soil so that they no longer lock together – resulting in a landslip as the structure becomes loose and unstable.

What happens when there’s a landslip on a railway

When landslips happen, so do delays. A train can’t swerve to avoid debris on the line in the same way a car can avoid a small obstruction on the road, so when there‘s debris on the tracks after a landslip, services will often need to be re-routed.

Before trains can run on the line again after a landslip, engineers will remove any debris and check that the infrastructure is safe and working.

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