'Severe' rail disruption in Lancashire expected until this evening as Preston and Blackpool trains suspended
Rail passengers across major parts of Lancashire face severe disruptions due to overhead wire damage.
‘Severe’ rail disruption impacting passengers across major parts of Lancashire is now not expected to end until this evening.
Northern rail issued an 'essential travel only' warning this morning, with trains suspended across Preston, Bolton, Wigan, Blackpool, Liverpool and Manchester. Avanti West Coast and TPE services are also impacted.
The disruption is due to damage to the overhead electric wires between Preston and Leyland, meaning no trains can operate between Preston and Bolton, and Preston and Wigan North Western.
The disruption is also impacting passengers between Blackpool North and Manchester Airport, and Blackpool North and Liverpool Lime Street, with many rush hour trains cancelled.
The damage to the overhead electric wires has been rectified, but services are expected to be disrupted until 5.00pm. National Rail had originally predicted disruption would last until 12.00pm.
In an update shortly after 10.20am, Northern said services on the following lines of route will be affected by this disruption in both directions:
- Train services are currently unable to run between Preston and Bolton and also between Preston and Wigan North Wester
- Barrow in Furness to Manchester Airport - Services will terminate and start back at Preston
- Blackpool North to Manchester Airport - an hourly service will operate in both directions as follows: XX:54 Blackpool to Manchester Airport & XX:44 Manchester Airport to Blackpool North
- Liverpool Lime Street to Blackpool North - Service currently suspended
- Windermere to Manchester Airport - Services will terminate and start back at Preston
A spokesperson for Northern said: “Customers travelling between Preston and Bolton / Wigan North Western are advised to only travel where essential. Bus services are likely to be heavily subscribed and will be limited in capacity / frequency.
“You can travel on the next Northern service to your destination, where available.”
Full routes affected
- Avanti West Coast between Edinburgh / Motherwell / Blackpool North / Preston and London Euston, and also between Carlisle and Crewe
- Northern between Barrow-in-Furness / Windermere and Manchester Airport, and also between Blackpool North / Preston and Liverpool Lime Street, and also between Blackpool North and Manchester Piccadilly / Manchester Airport
- TransPennine Express between Edinburgh / Carlisle / Oxenholme Lake District / Lancaster and Manchester Airport
Full advice from National Rail can found here.