Overview
- This week heavy leaf fall after Storm Boelo has left a slippery, mulch-like coating on tracks across Lancashire and Greater Manchester that makes it harder for trains to brake and accelerate.
- Network Rail has run specialist 'leaf-busting' trains and applied traction gel on routes across the North West to clear leaves and improve grip.
- Northern has cancelled several morning services serving Blackburn and Rochdale and warned passengers that disruption is expected to continue through the day.
- The operator has lifted ticket restrictions in affected areas so customers can use the next available Northern service and has reminded passengers they can claim delay-repay or refunds for disrupted journeys.
- The problem is a predictable autumn issue that can also affect signalling equipment and other operators such as TransPennine Express, so further knock-on delays and timetable changes are possible while mitigation runs continue.