Manchester train cancellations spread across services on Monday after an emergency incident at Broadgreen disrupted trains between Liverpool and Manchester. National Rail said major disruption was expected until 12.30pm, and passengers using Warrington stations faced changes across several routes.
National Rail said all lines had reopened between Liverpool Lime Street and Huyton after emergency services dealt with the incident. Even so, services between Liverpool Lime Street and Wigan North Western or St Helens Junction may still be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes, or revised while service recovers.
Warrington station changes
The impact reached Warrington because the disruption spread beyond the closed section and into linked services. National Rail said teams were dealing with the incident on the railway between Liverpool and Manchester, which left multiple operators adjusting routes and times across the morning.
Northern said passengers could travel on the next Northern service to their destination where available. The operator also lifted train ticket restrictions in the affected areas, including advance and peak restrictions, during the disruption.
Ticket acceptance across routes
Temporary ticket acceptance widened the options for passengers trying to keep moving. Northern said restrictions would be reinstated once the disruption ends. Travel at no extra cost was also allowed on Avanti West Coast services between Wigan North Western and Warrington Bank Quay in both directions until 1pm.
TransPennine Express customers could use tickets at no extra cost on alternative TPE services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly or East Midlands Railway services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly. Tickets could also be used on Northern services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Oxford Road, on Metrolink Tram services between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria, and on Northern and Transport for Wales services to or from Warrington Bank Quay for journeys to or from Newton-le-Willows. For anyone heading through the corridor, the practical step was to check which operator was accepting tickets before travelling.
Broadgreen and 12.30pm
The unresolved issue is the incident at Broadgreen itself, which was the trigger for the chain of delays and cancellations. National Rail said the main section between Liverpool Lime Street and Huyton had reopened, but the wider timetable was still recovering and major disruption was expected until 12.30pm.
