A major rail disruption has brought travel to a standstill between Carlisle and Preston, leaving commuters stranded and journeys in chaos. The incident, which unfolded earlier today, has completely blocked all lines, triggering widespread delays and cancellations across multiple operators.
Passengers traveling with Avanti West Coast face the most severe consequences. All services from Glasgow Central and Edinburgh destined for London Euston have been cancelled, while southbound trains will terminate abruptly in Preston. Authorities are strongly advising travelers not to attempt journeys north of Preston.
The ripple effect extends to TransPennine Express, with numerous services impacted. Trains normally running between Glasgow Central and Liverpool Lime Street, as well as those connecting Glasgow Central and Edinburgh to Manchester Airport, will not operate between Carlisle and Preston.
National Rail warns of significant delays, potentially reaching up to two hours, or complete cancellations for trains traveling between Carlisle and Preston. The disruption is expected to last throughout the remainder of the day, creating a challenging situation for those relying on rail travel.
To mitigate the impact, hourly rail replacement bus services are being deployed between Preston and Carlisle in both directions. However, these alternatives will undoubtedly add considerable time to journeys and are expected to be heavily utilized.
Ticket holders with Avanti West Coast are being offered flexibility, with their tickets accepted on CrossCountry, LNER, and ScotRail services. This measure aims to provide some relief, but the overall situation remains highly problematic for those with pre-booked travel plans.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the incident and assess the extent of the damage. Authorities are maintaining close contact with the train operating company and the Railway Accident Investigation Branch to understand the full scope of the disruption and expedite repairs.
