Why was the Hartlepool station 'Up' line closed to traffic?

I’m sure this approx. 1 mile stretch was used for southbound freights up to a couple of years ago. Now all up traffic switches to the platform side through the station. Why is it no longer in use?

Thanks - Morpethcurve

No idea about the freight I’m afraid, but just for the record - it’s the Up line, not the Down.

I remember in the 1960s, Hartlepool were playing rugby at home. The visiting team arrived in a Western/ Midland Blue Pullman. This was stabled from arrival to departure after the game in the up platform. This would suggest that both lines are not needed for the traffic on offer.

Thanks Tomnick. Post amended sheepishly.

The up line through the station was in use at the start of 2017, there are photos around showing the Virgin Trains diverts in January, with HSTs and 225 drags on this line. I think it was taken out of use shortly afterwards. The platform was closed much earlier and the footbridge removed, so all stopping services have to use Platform 1.

Although traffic is light (hourly Northern services and 6 GC London trains, in both directions, and a few freight), there are delays caused by the platform being occupied.

The Up platform was out of use to my surprise when I used the station in 1977.

Some interesting posts.

My original q was prompted by wondering about the relative maintenance costs and operational pros./cons. of continuing to use the up line though the station vs. the current sitch. My only "experience" is as an infrastructure volunteer on a heritage line, and it strikes me that routing all up traffic through the down platform (a) wears out a couple of points and point motors faster since all the freights have to be switched and (b) wears out the mile or so of down track, including the extra stress of all the freights, whilst preserving the redundant up section.

Possibly the up section already has defects, and putting everything through the down line is cheaper than repair?

As an aside, I see the bay platform has been re-railed recently.