Written Question·Department for Transport·UIN 93272

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance

Tabled: 20 November 2025
Answered: 28 November 2025

Question

Edward Morello

Liberal DemocratWest Dorset

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of high soil moisture deficit levels on rail infrastructure stability, earthwork movement and long-term service resilience across the national net

Answer

Simon Lightwood
High soil moisture deficit levels within earthworks arise when the earth has become dried out following prolonged dry hot weather, leading to the soil shrinking and cracks developing within. If this is followed by a period of extreme or prolonged rainfall...

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