Wigan North Western train cancellations hit services on Monday after National Rail said teams had been dealing with an emergency incident on the railway between Liverpool and Manchester. Journeys between Liverpool Lime Street and Wigan North Western could still be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes, or revised while service recovered.
All lines had reopened between Liverpool Lime Street and Huyton after emergency services dealt with the incident, but that did not clear the wider route. Major disruption was expected until 12.30pm, and passengers were told they could use the next Northern service to their destination where available.
Broadgreen and Warrington
The incident at Broadgreen affected stations in Warrington, where disruption spread across services that run through the area. That left some passengers facing timetable changes even after the reopened lines restored part of the route.
Services between Liverpool Lime Street and Wigan North Western, and also those to St Helens Junction, could continue to be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes, or revised while recovery continued. The same pattern applied as trains were brought back into use in stages rather than all at once.
Ticket acceptance until 1pm
National Rail said Northern train ticket restrictions were lifted in the affected areas during the disruption, including advance and peak restrictions. Those restrictions were to be reinstated once the disruption ends.
Travellers had several no-extra-cost options. Avanti West Coast services between Wigan North Western and Warrington Bank Quay were available in both directions until 1pm, while TransPennine Express tickets could be used via any reasonable route.
TransPennine Express customers could also use tickets on alternative TPE services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly, on East Midlands Railway services on the same route, on Northern services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Oxford Road, and on Metrolink Tram services between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria.
Passengers travelling to or from Newton-le-Willows could use Northern and Transport for Wales services to or from Warrington Bank Quay at no extra cost. For anyone making that trip Monday morning, the practical choice was to check the route first and use the first accepted service that kept the journey moving.
