Network Rail has deferred planned renewal works on the Selby swing-bridge to focus on repairing a severely damaged section of track near Stainforth.
Repair work has been ongoing since a devastating landslip at Hatfield colliery in February.
Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “I am today announcing that the scheduled work on Selby Swing Bridge will not go ahead until we have first restored rail services along the Hatfield route.
“We seriously considered doing renewals work on the Selby swing-bridge while also repairing the Hatfield landslip. This was only going to be feasible if we could still provide a reasonable train service to our communities on the east coast.
“We have carefully considered what timetable can be run should the works at Selby and Hatfield be done at the same time, and, while many services can run, it will put too much strain on the network without fully satisfying the needs of our train and freight operators.
“We are in the business of running trains and we listen to our customers. It remains true that the Selby swing-bridge is showing its age. We will now focus on completing intensive maintenance work to keep the swing-bridge safe and reliable until the renewals work can be rescheduled.
On the continuing disruption, Mr Verster said: “We continue to aim for restoration of services in July but the risk remains that the railway may not be repaired until September this year.”
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