Rail services in East Manchester still disrupted as flooding repairs from burst mains pipe continue

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Rail services continue to be severely disrupted in East Manchester as repairs are carried out after a mains pipe burst last week, flooding the line. The major leak has been stopped, Network Rail have said, but extensive repairs are still being carried out.

The full extent of the flooding was revealed in dramatic drone footage filmed by Network Rail, which showed a section of track completely submerged. Trains have been cancelled over several days in and around Tameside with no services running between Ashburys and Guide Bridge.

Network Rail has issued an update this morning (September 5) showing that extensive repairs continuing to be carried out on a bridge on Bessemer Street, in the Openshaw area between Ashburys and Guide Bridge. United Utilities are also still working on repairs to the mains pipe that caused the flooding, with rail disruption expected to carry on for some time yet.

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In a Tweet Network Rail's Manchester Piccadilly branch said: "United Utilities burst pipe repairs ongoing. We’ve shored up Bessemer Street bridge following flood damage. We’re now fixing a signalling fault which means @northernassist and @TPEassist are still disrupted through Guide Bridge. Thanks for your patience"

Network Rail said the Bessemer Street railway bridge - between Ashburys and Gorton stations - had effectively become a 'waterfall' which is why extensive repairs are needed before trains can run through the area again. This is the fifth day that delays and diversions have been in place.

Northern issued an update this morning saying: "Manchester Piccadilly to Hadfield/Glossop services where possible will operate between Guide