After last week’s train wreck, the UK port of Felixstowe has recovered to 50% of its normal rail throughput. However, delays in container movement could last until next Monday.
Felixstowe confirmed on Tuesday that a freight-train operated by GB Railfreight derailled on the Trimley Branch Line, partially blocking intermodal service. The port, GBRf, and Network Rail all said they were working to restore services “as soon as possible”.
According to The Loadstar, the rail throughput in the UK’s busiest container port is currently at approximately 50% of its pre-derailment level. On Friday, the port informed customers that it had handled 959 container on rail in 24 hours.
Sources say that the South and Central rail termini are operational, but the North rail terminus is still blocked. Network Rail estimated that the work would only take a week, allowing for the terminal to reopen in week 27.
To help mitigate this impact, the port offered additional booking slots to hauliers. These slots were reportedly well-received.
Network Rail will be repairing the Trimley Branch Line this week. Derailed wagons have been cleared over the weekend. According to a customer notice sent by the port on Friday, preparation of replacement track pieces, set-up activity and removal of unaffected vehicles had already started, but the full assessment of repairs required would begin today.
Kuehne + Nagel UK warned on its website that the earliest date to reopen the railway for traffic is estimated to be Wednesday, 26 June.
National Rail reported that the incident affected all train services in the port including those operated by Freightliner, GB Railfreight, and trucking firm Maritime Transport.
London Gateway’s railway terminal is closed until Wednesday for infrastructure work.
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