Railway works may be delayed to cope with Yuletide crush

TRAIN bosses are looking at delaying traditional Christmas rail works to cope with a crush of passengers travelling back from seeing family over the holiday, The Daily Telegraph has learnt.

The proposals are in response to government plans to ease restrictions over the festive period, which have increased the likelihood of trains being more busy than usual as people fit in their family visits in the days around Christmas.

It also comes amid calls from a rail watchdog for companies to ensure that there is enough capacity so people can travel in a socially distanced manner.

Sources with knowledge of discussions in the rail industry said the main concern was that the relaxation in restrictions would clash with the period when track works and improvements traditionally take place, from Dec 27.

The Telegraph understands that rail bosses are confident that the current timetables, which will result in railways running at around 90 per cent of prepandemic levels, will be able to cater for an increase in holiday travel.

However, a senior rail source said: “We are looking at making sure there is enough capacity. Where there will be a challenge … is the impact of the engineering work that usually happens over the Christmas and new year period.

“The key point will be the 27th, when engineering works begin, so we will be looking at the level of services that need to run.”

Yesterday, Transport Focus, the travel watchdog, called on rail operators to ensure that passengers are given clear information in the lead-up to the break.

Anthony Smith, chief executive, said: “Many people are eagerly anticipating the decision on whether we can visit family this Christmas. Some people will still need to travel for work or other essential reasons. Clear guidance and information is needed.”

Robert Nisbet, director of nations and regions for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the train operators, said rail companies were in negotiations to make sure people could travel smoothly over Christmas.

He added: “Thousands of services will run across the period but vital engineering works to improve the railway and support economic recovery mean we’re asking people to check their journeys before they travel.”

Meanwhile, this week it emerged that Greater Anglia, one of the UK’S main train providers, has carried out 40 swab tests on regular touch points to test for Covid-19 and found no traces of the virus.