Repeated bridge failures force TransPennine Express to consider diversionary route

TransPennine Express Managing Director Chris Jackson has told RAIL the operator is considering using a diversionary route, because of repeated failures of a canal bridge in north Lincolnshire.

Keadby Canal bridge, which carries the main line between Doncaster, Scunthorpe and Cleethorpes, failed 16 times between April 2024 and March 2025, causing passenger trains run by Northern and TPE to be disrupted or cancelled, and some freight trains to be diverted.

The bridge is unique, being the only sliding canal bridge in the UK. The original bridge dates to the 1860s, before being converted into a sliding bridge in 1925.

In February 2024, Network Rail closed the line for a nine-day programme of work to strengthen one of the canal walls and replace rails and track equipment.

However, NR has told RAIL that “while the structural abutment works completed last year successfully halted further settlement and reduced vibration, the bridge itself continues to face challenges with its mechanical equipment and temperature sensitivity”.

To ensure the future resilience of the bridge, NR’s short-term plans include:

• Increasing the frequency of main inspections.
• Purchasing strategic spares to enable quicker repairs.
• Reviewing and refining temperature thresholds for bridge operation.
• Improving monitoring through newly installed sensors that provide earlier information about the bridge’s operational status.

A spokesperson said: “The current works focus on addressing issues with the rolling wheels and removing temporary rolling plates, which should eliminate key vulnerabilities.

“However, as a historic moving structure, it will continue to require intensive maintenance and careful management during temperature extremes.”

Responding to questions from RAIL, NR revealed that Keadby Canal bridge had experienced 16 failures affecting train services between April 2024 and March 2025.

Each of these failures caused disruption to the hourly TPE service between Cleethorpes and Liverpool and Northern’s two-hourly stopping services between Scunthorpe and Doncaster.

This has forced the operators to source rail replacements at short notice.

While freight trains can sometimes be diverted along a largely single-track line through Brigg, TPE crews do not sign this route, which carries one Northern passenger train a day (Monday-Friday) between Sheffield and Cleethorpes.

A spokesman for The Independent Brigg Line Rail Group told RAIL: “The issue with delays and cancellations of passenger services at this location is a concern.

“The diversionary route is via the Brigg line, over which the freight operators are route-learned, but TransPennine Express services are not.

“We welcome any timetabled services that call at Brigg and Kirton in Lindsey, which at present has an unacceptable one round trip Monday to Friday service provided by another operator.”

TPE Managing Director Chris Jackson told RAIL: “We’re currently reviewing a range of options, including the potential use of the Brigg route.

“We are taking some very early initial preparatory steps to explore how this could be progressed, taking into account factors such as fleet availability, crew competency, and infrastructure requirements.”

The sliding canal bridge at Keadby has required numerous repairs and maintenance in recent years, including a nine-day closure in February 2024. It failed 16 times between April 2024 and March 2025. NETWORK RAIL.