Thieves wreak rail line havoc

Nov 17 2008 by Katie Campling, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

RAIL service delays caused chaos for hundreds on the Leeds-Huddersfield line after metal thieves struck.

Thieves stole copper wiring from overhead lines at Cottingley between Friday night and Saturday morning, causing signalling problems.

Engineers got to work on repairs immediately, but passengers were still left facing delays of up to 25 minutes.

Some of the services were re-routed via Wakefield and Batley and bus services were put on.

Trains that did get to the packed platforms at Huddersfield were soon swamped with passengers – many of them Huddersfield Town fans trying to make the lunchtime kick-off for Town’s West Yorkshire derby match against Leeds United.