Callum Johnstone
2004-04-28 07:23:29 UTC
Source: The Herald
28/04/04
Signal fault causes rush-hour chaos for Glasgow commuters
WILLIAM TINNING
Thousands of commuters faced transport chaos yesterday after a major
signalling fault occurred during the morning rush-hour at one of
Scotland's busiest rail junctions.
Rail officials were forced to cancel more than 50 services and more
than 150 others were delayed after a signal stuck at red at the
Hyndland East junction in Glasgow at about 7am.
The fault had a serious knock-on effect on services after drivers were
forced to stop and request permission from signal authorities before
proceeding at the junction.
All electric services on Strathclyde Passenger Transport's network
north of the Clyde, which runs between Airdrie and Helensburgh, and
Argyle Line services to and from Hamilton Circle, were affected for
almost seven hours.
Engineers took until 1.30pm to repair the fault. Normal services were
not restored until about two hours later as trains were fitted back
into their scheduled timetable slots.
Network Rail, which is responsible for the operation of the signal,
could not be reached for comment yesterday.
However, Eddie Toal, a spokesman for ScotRail, said: "Hyndland East
junction is one of the busiest rail junctions in Scotland and is a
main spoke in the entire north Clyde network operated by SPT.
"Twenty-four trains an hour travel through the junction in both
directions throughout the day.
"After the signal stayed at red, with trains almost every three
minutes, it did not take long for congestion to arise as drivers were
forced to stop and phone ahead for permission to proceed.
"We had to cancel 53 trains and a further 152 were 'turned round'
before they reached their destination because of the fault.
"In terms of delays it was the railway equivalent of an accident on
the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow which reduces the movement of traffic
to one lane.
"We can only apologise to passengers for any inconvenience caused."
28/04/04
Signal fault causes rush-hour chaos for Glasgow commuters
WILLIAM TINNING
Thousands of commuters faced transport chaos yesterday after a major
signalling fault occurred during the morning rush-hour at one of
Scotland's busiest rail junctions.
Rail officials were forced to cancel more than 50 services and more
than 150 others were delayed after a signal stuck at red at the
Hyndland East junction in Glasgow at about 7am.
The fault had a serious knock-on effect on services after drivers were
forced to stop and request permission from signal authorities before
proceeding at the junction.
All electric services on Strathclyde Passenger Transport's network
north of the Clyde, which runs between Airdrie and Helensburgh, and
Argyle Line services to and from Hamilton Circle, were affected for
almost seven hours.
Engineers took until 1.30pm to repair the fault. Normal services were
not restored until about two hours later as trains were fitted back
into their scheduled timetable slots.
Network Rail, which is responsible for the operation of the signal,
could not be reached for comment yesterday.
However, Eddie Toal, a spokesman for ScotRail, said: "Hyndland East
junction is one of the busiest rail junctions in Scotland and is a
main spoke in the entire north Clyde network operated by SPT.
"Twenty-four trains an hour travel through the junction in both
directions throughout the day.
"After the signal stayed at red, with trains almost every three
minutes, it did not take long for congestion to arise as drivers were
forced to stop and phone ahead for permission to proceed.
"We had to cancel 53 trains and a further 152 were 'turned round'
before they reached their destination because of the fault.
"In terms of delays it was the railway equivalent of an accident on
the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow which reduces the movement of traffic
to one lane.
"We can only apologise to passengers for any inconvenience caused."