Major rail disruption after overhead wires damaged

All railway lines through Stockport rail station have been closed after damage to overhead electrical wires caused major disruption services.

National Rail said trains were being cancelled, diverted or stopped short of their destinations while repairs were carried out.

Six operators have been affected including Avanti West Coast, Northern, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales.

The disruption, which began in the early hours of Friday, was expected to last until at least 10:00 BST.

Network Rail photographs showed engineers using an elevated platform to reach the overhead wires as they made repairs.

Services between Manchester Piccadilly and Stoke-on-Trent have been suspended, while trains on routes to London Euston, Sheffield, Crewe, Buxton and Chester have also been affected.

Northern has advised passengers to avoid travelling where possible, warning of severe delays and overcrowding.

Replacement buses and coaches have been arranged on some routes, while affected passengers can use certain alternative rail and Bee Network bus services at no extra cost.

Passengers have been advised to check their journeys before setting off and allow extra time for travel.

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