Cracks cause UK rail disruption – resolution sought

A plan has been requested to resolve prolonged disruption following the discovery of cracks in Class 800 Series Hitachi trains.

The UK government has requested that Hitachi set out a comprehensive safety inspection plan, and longer-term repair strategy for the damaged Class 800 fleet following the discovery of cracks in the chassis of trains this weekend.

In turn, the rail industry is asked to deliver a rolling stock strategy to provide additional capacity on network, and a rail replacement schedule as passengers are warned disruption is expected to continue for some time.

Most of GWR’s fleet and a significant number of LNER and TransPennine Express trains have been taken off the network to undergo inspection, after checks of the Hitachi fleet early on Saturday (8 May, 2021) morning first identified cracks on part of the chassis of some trains.