Monday 29 Apr 2024
Passengers warned of delays after overhead lines damaged on the West Coast Main Line
- Region & Route:
- North West & Central
- | North West & Central: North West
Passengers travelling between Wigan North Western and Preston stations on the West Coast Main Line are being advised to check before they travel because of damaged overhead power lines.
Network Rail engineers are working as fast as they can to fix the 25,000-volt overhead cables near Coppull, Lancashire, after they came down earlier today (Monday 29 April).
No trains are able to run in either direction on the West Coast Main Line between Wigan North Western and Preston. Trains are being diverted where possible, but delays and cancellations are expected. Disruption is expected for the rest of the day.
Kara Wood, Network Rail’s acting North West route strategy director, said: “We’re sorry to passengers affected by the problems with the overhead power lines in Coppull. We have specialist repair teams on site working as fast as they can to fix the cables and restore power so trains can safely run again through the area.
“Disruption is expected for the rest of the day so we’re urging people to plan their journeys and check before they travel with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries.”
Work will take place throughout the day to reopen the line as soon as possible.
Investigations into what caused the overhead lines to be brought down are ongoing.
Notes to Editors
Customers making journeys to or from Wigan North Western are advised to check the National Rail enquiries and Avanti West Coast websites before travelling for the latest updates.
Trains running through Wigan North Western may be cancelled, delayed by up to 90 minutes or diverted via Manchester Piccadilly.
If your journey is delayed by 15 minutes or more you can claim Delay Repay compensation: Delay Repay | Train Delay Compensation | Avanti West Coast.
If your train is cancelled, your ticket will be valid on the service immediately before or after your original booked train.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Network Rail press office - North West & Central Region
0330 854 0100
NWCmediarelations@networkrail.co.uk
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