Latest in a long line of rail excuses? Wrong sunlight!

WE’VE long endured a litany of excuses for rail chaos including the wrong kind of leaves, snow and wind.

Now, adding to the natural phenomena that train operators can’t handle, they’ve blamed the wrong kind of sunlight.

It comes as figures showed Network Rail paid millions to operators in compensation. Claims included train firms holding it responsible for the glare of the sun on signalling gear affecting drivers’ sight.

The issue triggered disruption on 4,206 services in the past three years, the figures show. In total there were 3 8 hours – almost 1 days – of delays, in addition to the cancellation of 130 services because it was too bright to see equipment.

The worst problems sparked by sunlight on signals were at Birmingham New Street where 1 2 trains were delayed and nine cancelled in February 2019.

Costs are not given for individual cases but are included in compensation to operators for unplanned disruption – £2 8million in 2018/19 and £60million in 2019/20. Last year’s total is not yet available.

Operators are liable for issues in trains or stations, Network Rail for everything else. Network Rail said it shows why plans to reform the system this year are needed.