Stranded train moved from flooded Norfolk track

Passengers on board the 07:25 Norwich to Lowestoft service were taken to safety on Sunday morning

A train which was stranded when tracks flooded has been moved to a depot, as severe weather continues to affect Norfolk and Suffolk.

Six people on Sunday's 07:25 GMT service between Norwich and Lowestoft were led to safety when water undercut the railway at Haddiscoe.

It took engineers until about 01:00 on Monday to safely move the train.

Meanwhile, several flood alerts were put in place and power cuts reported across some areas.

A close-up photo shows where the ballast supporting the track was washed away

Kerri Worrall, from train operator Greater Anglia, said moving the stricken train had been "a complex operation" and services on that line were likely to be suspended for several days.

"Full credit to the driver of the train and the crew who made a very quick assessment that in the interest of passenger safety they would take those passengers off the train," she said.

"They were actually met by another train that managed to divert from another line to take them back to Norwich.

"Since then the really complex operation of trying to get the train out of the way - so that they can start to repair the track - has been ongoing.

"It was a really difficult operation and I think they tried several things yesterday and eventually managed to move [the train] away at about one o'clock this morning, so it did take the entire day."

The train would be assessed for damage at a depot, she said.

The rail service between Norwich and Lowestoft was halted when water from the nearby river network made it to the tracks

Announcing the suspension of services between Norwich and Lowestoft, Greater Anglia said on Twitter that the flooding had "severely damaged the tracks and surrounding railway infrastructure".

A replacement bus service was expected to operate until Friday.

Ms Worrall said: "We can't say exactly how long it's going to take, but we do expect it to be over the next few days at least.

"The ballast is there to support the track and obviously in this case the power of the water was just too strong and did manage to undermine it.

"I know Network Rail will be doing everything they can to repair that and try to ensure it's not something that can happen again in the future."

The section of track affected by the flooding can be seen in the centre of this photo

A Network Rail spokesman said staff were starting to rebuild the track and "170 tonnes of rock and ballast will be delivered to site to shore up the track bed that was washed away".

He added: "We've made a start with excavators on site but our full programme of works required is being finalised. We expect the line to be closed for a few days yet."

More on Storms Corrie and Malik:

• Thousands into third day without power after storm

• New storm to move in after falling trees kill two

• Storm Malik brings gusts of up to 80mph

UK Power Networks has also reported several power cuts across parts of Norfolk on Monday.

A spokeswoman said 841 customers lost power at about 03:10 in parts of Wymondham when a tree fell on an overhead power line.

Power was restored to most by 04:30 but about 20 customers remained with electricity.

Meanwhile, a flood warning - meaning that flooding was expected - remained in place on Monday on the Suffolk coast on both banks of the mouth of the River Deben at Bawdsey Quay and Felixstowe Ferry.

The Environment Agency said tides were expected to be higher than usual due to Storm Corrie.

Several flood alerts - meaning that flooding was possible - remained in place across parts of Norfolk and Suffolk, including the Southwold coast and the River Waveney.

The Agency said "high tidal water moving up the rivers from Great Yarmouth, is currently restricting the normal drainage out to sea at low tide of the Broads river system".