Network Rail has explained why it closed a South Yorkshire railway station for the fifth time in four years.

Rotherham Central was closed on Friday, November 14 as a precaution as Storm Claudia hit the UK.

Network Rail said it disconnected equipment to avoid damage in the event of the River Don flooding.

Rotherham Central station was closed for two days as a precaution due to Storm Claudia but did not flood. | Network Rail

placeholder image — Rotherham Central station was closed for two days as a precaution due to Storm Claudia but did not flood. | Network Rail

The station did not flood, although there was “water on the track” for a short time, and it reopened two days later on Sunday, November 16, Network Rail said.

A Network Rail spokesperson said no other stations were closed as a precaution against Storm Claudia.

They added: “The nature of Rotherham’s flood risk is unusual, but not unique. The level of the railway is below the River Don’s high water level, and during storms the river and its tributaries flow towards the railway, causing flooding.

“We are working with the local authority to design and deliver a comprehensive flood alleviation scheme for the Rotherham area.”

Photo issued by Network Rail of Rotherham Central train station which remains closed due to flood water (Photo: PA/Network Rail) | PA/Network Rail

Rotherham Council has a pumping station near the site, installed in 2022.

The latest disruption comes after the station was closed on Sunday, January 5 due to flooding, with services cancelled over two days.

It was also closed for several days from New Year’s Eve last year, as a precaution against flooding which did not occur.

In February 2022, the station closed for five days due to flooding from Storm Franklin.

In January 2021, the station flooded due to heavy rain from Storm Christoph.

Transport expert Peter Kennan said closing Rotherham Central station due to flood forecasts was part of an “embedded” health and safety culture. | Peter Kennan

South Yorkshire transport expert Peter Kennan said closing a station due to flood forecasts was part of an “embedded” health and safety culture which saw whole routes closed before weather events.

He added: “I would obviously prefer a plan which tries to keep it open but I am sure that Network Rail received advice which pointed to an inevitability of flooding and so took proactive action.”