Trains around Greater Manchester have been cancelled today after a theft worth £100,000 on the railway lines. Travel bosses have issued a warning as a host of major services in and around Greater Manchester cannot run.
The routes that will be affected today (Sunday, December 28) include Blackpool North to Preston in both directions, where fewer trains are able to run and limited replacement road transport will replace the rail services.
Preston to Bolton and Manchester stations, in both directions, is another affected route. Trains are unable to run until approximately 6pm, with limited replacement road transport in operation between Preston and Manchester Piccadilly.
Services between Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport, in both directions, will be also affected as fewer trains are able to run, and limited replacement road transport will run between these stations.
The cancellations and replacements follow high voltage cables worth £100,000 being stolen between Wigan and Bolton.
Yesterday, the M.E.N. reported how engineers discovered that the cable was missing when they arrived to carry out work in the Lostock area of Bolton over the Christmas period.
It comes as part of the £1m works to electrify the line between Wigan and Bolton, which began in 2022. The cable provides power to the overhead line equipment, which in turn powers electric trains across the tracks.
The theft was carried out just one week before the line was due to be energised for the first time, on New Year’s Day. Network Rail bosses say the cable now needs to be refitted and tested again.
Rail bosses say they are working with police to ‘find and prosecute those responsible.’ Christian Irwin, Network Rail’s capital delivery director, apologised for the disruption. “I am very sorry to passengers who will be impacted by the rail closure between Chorley and Bolton on Sunday,” he said.
“It is extremely frustrating for this crime to take place so close to the energisation of the line. Our teams have been working very hard to deliver this upgrade for passengers over several years including over this Christmas period.
“We are working closely with the British Transport Police to provide additional security measures and to find and prosecute those accountable.”
Passengers have been advised to check the National Rail website or with their train operator to find out what the closure means for their journey.
The first train expected to be able to call at all stations will be:
National Rail has given alternative travel suggestions:
Northern tickets may be used at no additional cost on the following services:
TransPennine and Northern services are affected
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Road transport:
“Where limited replacement road transport is operating, customers are advised to speak to station staff, see station information screens, or check online journey planners for the departure times.
“Please note, journey times will be extended by up to 60 minutes when travelling using road replacement transport,” National Rail has said.
National rail has given particular advice for TransPennine Express customers. TransPennine Express train services will not call at Bolton whilst the repair work is taking place, National Rail has said
“Rail replacement transport is running between Preston – Bolton – Manchester Piccadilly to help with your journey.
“Your ticket will be valid for use on all TransPennine Express services on Sunday 29 December between Edinburgh / Glasgow Central and Manchester Airport at no extra cost.
“It is advised that you travel earlier than your booked journey where possible, to allow for alternative connections,” says National Rail.
Meanwhile there’s a planned line closure between 10.30pm on New Year’s Eve and 10.30am on New Year’s Day which means there will no trains between Lostock Junction and Wigan North Western. On January 1 there will be no access to Westhoughton, Hindley or Ince stations.
Replacement buses will run between Wigan North Western, Westhoughton, Daisy Hill, Ince and Lostock.