A landslip near Wakefield, Westgate is causing significant disruption to rail services across the North of England today, . The incident, reported at this morning, has blocked multiple lines and is expected to cause delays and cancellations throughout the day.
The disruption primarily affects services operated by LNER and Northern. LNER routes between Peterborough and Leeds/Bradford Forster Square/Harrogate, and between Doncaster and Harrogate are impacted. Northern services between Sheffield/Doncaster and Leeds are also experiencing issues. The disruption coincides with pre-planned engineering works between Peterborough and King’s Cross, meaning no direct services are currently running to London from those locations. Further compounding the problems, the main line between Leeds and York via Garforth is also closed for engineering work, resulting in bus replacements or diversions for passengers on that route.
National Rail has stated that major disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day. The landslip has forced the implementation of various mitigation strategies, including rail replacement services and route diversions. Passengers travelling between Doncaster and Leeds are being offered bus replacements via Wakefield Westgate, and a similar service is in operation between Leeds and York. Some LNER services from Doncaster to Leeds are being diverted via Castleford, adding an additional stop in York.
To alleviate the impact on passengers, rail operators are offering increased flexibility with ticketing. LNER is allowing passengers to use their tickets on alternative train services up to two hours before or after their originally scheduled departure, or on either of the two LNER services immediately preceding or following their booked train. Customers who choose to defer their travel today, , can utilize their tickets without incurring any additional costs on .
Northern customers are also being offered alternative travel options. Passengers are advised that train services are currently unable to run between Fitzwilliam and Wakefield Westgate in either direction. The rail operator is accepting tickets on TransPennine Express services between Manchester, Leeds, and York/Newcastle, as well as on Northern services between Carlisle and Newcastle. CrossCountry services between Sheffield/Doncaster, York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh are also accepting tickets from affected passengers.
The disruption highlights the vulnerability of the UK’s rail infrastructure to adverse weather conditions. Landslips, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall, can pose a significant threat to track stability and operational safety. While preventative measures are in place, such incidents can still occur, leading to widespread disruption for commuters and freight services.
The timing of this disruption is particularly unfortunate, coinciding with existing engineering works that were already impacting services on key routes. The combined effect of the landslip and planned maintenance is exacerbating travel difficulties for passengers across the region. The closure of the Leeds-York line for engineering work, in addition to the Wakefield landslip, creates a bottleneck effect, limiting alternative routing options and increasing demand for rail replacement bus services.
The economic impact of rail disruption extends beyond the immediate inconvenience to passengers. Delays and cancellations can disrupt supply chains, impact business travel, and reduce productivity. While the rail operators are offering flexible ticketing arrangements, the disruption still represents a cost to both passengers and the wider economy. The availability of alternative transport options, such as bus services and road networks, is also strained during periods of significant rail disruption, potentially leading to congestion and increased travel times.
Passengers are advised to check the National Rail website (https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service-disruptions/wakefield-westgate-20260215/) and the websites of LNER and Northern for the latest updates and travel information. Real-time information is also available through National Rail’s mobile app and social media channels. Given the expectation of continued disruption throughout the day, passengers are strongly encouraged to plan their journeys carefully and allow for extra travel time.
