Emergency services rush to incident on railway line as trains stopped for hours

Emergency services rushed to incident on the railway line near Leigh with trains stopped for hours on Thursday evening (January 18).

Police and National Rail staff attended the incident shortly before 6pm on the line between Eccles station and Huyton. A passenger on board said the train came to a stop and that staff on board said there had been a 'major incident'.

The train remained stationed on the line for around three hours, with replacement bus services organised by National Rail. Travellers were warned of 'major disruption' late into Thursday night.

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National Rail said online: "The emergency services are dealing with an incident between Manchester Victoria and Liverpool Lime Street meaning all lines are currently closed. As a result of this, trains between Manchester Victoria and Warrington Bank Quay / Liverpool Lime Street may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or diverted."

Customers at Liverpool Lime Street for Manchester stations or customers at Manchester stations for Liverpool Lime Street were told they could instead travel on an alternative Northern services via Warrington Central. Rail replacement buses were also provided between Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool Lime Street.

Passengers were informed disruption would be expected 'until the end of the day'. Further details about the incident have not been confirmed. British Transport Police have been contacted for more information.