Only one leaf on this line... but there are more to come

The man in charge, the appropriately-named Andrew Skidmore, said Network Rail was getting better at coping with nature's seasonal effects.

Network Rail in north Wales has announced a series of measures, including two "leaf-busting" teams.

But officials warned that they did not expect to prevent all problems.

Network Rail put the cost of dealing with autumn at about �50m a year, including �10m for damage to trains and track from leaf falls.

We can never beat Mother Nature, but we... are determined to work together to deliver the best possible service Andrew Skidmore, Network Rail

A mature tree can have between 10,000 - 50,000 leaves, and the next 10 weeks is the key period for difficulties.

Network Rail said the leaf problem was now recognised as a serious performance and safety issue across the world.

10% of railway disruption is blamed on weather and seasonal factors

Mr Skidmore, the area general manager for north Wales, said: "Although we cannot control the elements, we are constantly striving to find new ways of addressing the challenge of leaf fall.

"We will be doing all we can to keep services as reliable and punctual as possible."

The compression of leaves on lines creates a thin black layer on rails, similar to black ice on roads. This can affect trains when braking and pulling out of stations.

The north Wales initiatives include teams based at Llandudno and Chester, regular forecasts from the Met Office on "wind throw", and vehicles on the north Wales coast line and Wrexham routes which use high-pressure jets and spray special gel on the line.

North Wales Network Rail said its main tactic was to get leaves off lines as quickly as possible.

Mr Skidmore said: "We don't expect to eliminate the problems that leaf fall causes, but each year we are getting better at mitigating its affects.

"We can never beat Mother Nature, but we, and our colleagues in the railway industry, are determined to work together to deliver the best possible service."

Network Rail blames the weather and "seasonal factors" for 10% of delays, with about 75% of this between October and March.