Commuters have been warned of major disruption to train journeys during rush hour between Liverpool and Manchester due to a points failure.
The failure at Earlestown is affecting services between Liverpool Lime Street, Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester on Wednesday morning, 15 October.
All lines have now reopened, and services are expected to return to normal. Major disruption, such as cancellations, delays and diversions, lasted until 10.30am.
Routes affected included northern services between Chester and Leeds, and between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Airport, also between Chester/Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria.
TransPennine Express services were affected between Liverpool Lime Street and Newcastle/Stalybridge.
Transport for Wales services were also disrupted between Chester/Holyhead /Llandudno and Manchester Airport.
Northern, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales all offered rail replacement road transport amid the disruption. Check with your train operator for the latest times and routes, or use Network Rail’s rail replacement service website.
During the disruption that has now ended, passengers travelling between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester were advised to use services that travel via Warrington Central, while passengers travelling between Chester and Manchester were advised to use services that travel via Altrincham.
Affected customers were able to use their ticket on alternative services at no extra cost with different train operators between certain routes amid the earlier delays.
For example, operators advised that the East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly were available to commuters.
Network Rail is advising passengers to keep their train ticket, as they may be entitled to compensation if they experience a delay in their journey.
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