Late June at least before trains start running again between Scunthorpe and Doncaster

Initial steps have been taken towards restoring the Scunthorpe to Doncaster passenger train link that ground to a halt after a landslip in the Hatfield and Stainforth area early last month.

But it could take until late June to get the job done.

First TransPennine Express and Network Rail services have been put on hold, affecting train services in Scunthorpe, Althorpe and Crowle and meaning substitute buses crossing the Isle of Axholme between the steel town and Doncaster.

Network Rail announced at 6am today (Friday, March 1) that its engineers were now beginning the slow process of removing spoil from Hatfield colliery which had severely damaged the railway in Stainforth.

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The company that operates Britain's tracks said that now the spoil heap had stopped moving, its teams had conducted more detailed surveys of the damage and were planning the work to be completed for restoration of rail services through the area.

Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “I want to thank passengers and our freight customers for their patience in this difficult time. In recent days it has become apparent that the damage to the railway is a lot worse than we originally thought and the repair work will be more complex. Clearly our priority is to get rail services running again as quickly as possible but we need to do so safely.

“The complexities of this job mean that it will take 16 to 18 weeks to complete, approximately until the end of June.

"However we will not be in a position to confirm this timeline until more extensive investigations have been completed in the next few days. We will do everything possible to reduce the time it will take to get the railway back.

“We are working closely with the train operators to minimise the disruption to passengers. We have also completed work which will better allow the flow of essential coal and steel freight trains to run from Scunthorpe and Immingham.”

Richard Allan, area director at Northern Rail, said: “During the forthcoming weeks, keeping passengers informed and on the move is our priority. We’ve been working closely with our colleagues at Network Rail and First TransPennine Express to ensure they are aware of how this disruption can affect their journey. We will continue to keep passengers updated at our stations and on our trains as well as online via our website and Twitter feed. I’d like to thank everyone for their continued patience as this essential work is carried out and the line returned to us as soon as possible.”

First TransPennine Express have put in place an amended train and bus timetable - full details - http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-advice/

The firm has laid on half-hourly bus service between Doncaster and Scunthorpe with additional buses to ensure everyone can make connections.

It has put express bus services in place between Doncaster and Cleethorpes to ensure customers can make onward connections to London and the south

- additional management and support staff have been deployed to stations,

All social media and communications channels have been updated with the latest information

Ticket restrictionss have been lifted meaning passengers can travel at any point on their booked day of travel.

Nick Donovan, FTPE managing director said: “The damage caused by the spoil heap is extensive and Network Rail have advised us that the line will not be open for use until approximately the end of June. This is clearly not ideal for rail passengers and disruption to journeys is likely to be significant.

"We have published an amended timetable and are providing a half hourly bus replacement service in either direction and we have additional staff at stations to help customers with their journeys. In addition we have listened to the feedback we have received and have put in place express bus services between Doncaster and Cleethorpes which allow customers to make onward rail connections.

"Unfortunately there is currently no alternative rail route available to us although we will continue to assess and update our plans as needed. I want to thank customers for their patience and understanding and provide an assurance that we will continue to work with Network Rail to return rail services as soon as is safely possible. I would encourage all customers to check the details of their journey before travelling."

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