Rail line to shut to tackle orange water issue
BBCA rail line is to close and its tracks replaced to try and solve a long-running issue with brown and orange harbour water.
Tests have identified iron ochre getting into Queens Dock, at Whitehaven, Cumbria, through a culvert.
The problem has in part been blamed on a "saturated" railway tunnel which takes trains underground between Corkickle and Whitehaven.
Network Rail said it would drain the tunnel and replace its tracks this year and would give a timeline of the works in the coming weeks.
"Schemes like this are costly and subject to strict processes to ensure that we adequately plan for the closure of the line and it is value for money for the taxpayer," a spokesperson said.
It is unclear how long the line will be closed for and if other transport options will be put in place.
'Not permanent fix'
Tests have previously found that the culvert releases water collected from Bransty Beck and a drainage system in the Bransty railway tunnel, which has started to flood in recent years.
For decades, water has drained from the tunnel into the harbour without any issue.
However, since late 2022 the harbour water has been heavily discoloured.
Labour's Josh MacAlister previously said he believed the problem was caused by gravel under the railway track becoming saturated with flood water having previously acted as a "natural filter" to catch iron ochre.
He said the announcement that Network Rail planned to drain the tunnel was "important" and that the works may help in the "short term".
However, he said he did not believe the work would be a permanent fix.
MacAlister is heading a taskforce of organisations including Network Rail, the Environment Agency and the Mining Remediation Authority to try and come up with long-term solutions to the problem.
"That work is now being done and I hope to be able to report some progress soon," he said.