University engineers have come up with a method designed to reduce railway delays by keeping tracks clear of leaves.

Image source, RUBY KEMPKA/UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

The technique, developed by a team at the University of Sheffield, involves blasting tracks with dry ice from a passenger train.

Operator Northern will trial the process in the coming weeks.

Leaves on railway lines form a slippery layer, forcing trains to run at slower speeds.

Currently, they are cleared by 61 special trains, which use high-pressure water jets followed by a gel containing sand and steel grains to help with braking.

Under the new method, pellets of dry ice are fired in a stream of air, making leaves frozen and brittle.

The dry ice then quickly turns back into gas, causing it to expand and destroy the leaves.

The huge illuminated globe by Luke Jerram will be hung in Leeds city centre.

Hull FC forward Andre Savelio signs a new two-year deal to remain with the Super League club until the end of 2023.

A photobook detailing Hull's fishing heritage is to be published following a crowdfunding campaign.

The work sets out to replace signage, drainage and road markings as well as fix potholes.

An own goal from Middlesbrough goalkeeper Joe Lumley and an injury-time strike from Mallik Wilks ends Hull's long wait for a victory.

Bournemouth score twice in three minutes to recover from a goal down to beat Sheffield United 2-1 and go three points clear at the top of the Championship.

A late penalty from Anthony Scully sees Lincoln City salvage a 2-2 draw against an impressive Plymouth Argyle side.

Alex Gillead and Andy Cook score to help Bradford end five-game League Two winless run with victory over Rochdale.

Grimsby move to the top of the National League after thrashing Dover 6-0 at Blundell Park.

James Henry strikes a late winner for Oxford United as they snatch a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday.

Murray Wallace scores with a late header to give Millwall all three points at Barnsley.

Leeds pick up their first victory in the Premier League this season as defender Diego Llorente returns from injury to score the winner over Watford.

Newport County begin the post-Michael Flynn era with a commanding 3-0 home win over Scunthorpe United.

St Helens book a Super League Grand Final date with Catalans Dragons after easing past Leeds Rhinos.

Commissioner Philip Allott said women "need to be streetwise" in the wake of the Sarah Everard case.

Raymond Keeley, 76, repeatedly raped a young girl in the Philippines between 2008 and 2010.

Lucas Meagor, from Hull, is taking on the challenge to raise money for a lung disease charity.

Hull FC sign hooker Joe Lovodua from Australian NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs on a one-year deal for 2022.

Gemma Dillon
Political Reporter

Homeowners and businesses in Mytholmroyd have welcomed the official opening of the town's flood defence scheme.

Funding was secured for the project after the devastating Boxing Day floods in 2015, when thousands of Calderdale homes and businesses were flooded.

Mytholmroyd experienced its highest ever recorded flood, with approximately 300 properties and 70 businesses being flooded - as well as the church, two schools and the community centre.

Serah Cullinan Stookes, whose house flooded in 2015, told BBC Radio Leeds: "The sad thing is, it had to get really bad before it got better. So I think Boxing Day - as devastating as it was - was a catalyst for putting Mytholmroyd on the map."

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The completed scheme includes the construction of new and improved flood walls, the relocation of Caldene Bridge. The river channel has also been widened at two key locations.

Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Environment Agency, said: "It provides better protection for the village and will also create valuable time for people to prepare when flooding is about to happen."