LIVE: Manchester Piccadilly services hit by severe delays after overhead lines 'explode' - updates

Manchester Piccadilly has been hit by serious disruption tonight after an overhead line 'exploded' as Storm Elin battered the city tonight (December 12).

The clip, sent in by a passenger who was on a train near Piccadilly station at roughly 5:40pm, shows large flashes of light and sparks coming from overhead wires. Shortly after the video was taken, railway bosses confirmed damage had been done to the overhead wires.

Northern have since issued a 'do not travel' alert to passengers tonight due to 'multiple weather-related incidents'. "Where possible, Northern customers are advised NOT TO TRAVEL due to multiple weather-related incidents, and replacement road transport being very limited," they said.

Piccadilly Station posted on X, formerly Twitter, just before 7pm: “Damage to the overhead wires between Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road means services on platforms 13 and 14 are cancelled or revised.

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“Engineers are on their way,” the post went on. “Please check before you travel. We are sorry for the disruption to your journey.”

Later, the account added: “Severe disruption is expected to services operated by TransPennine and Northern.

“Engineers are working to fix the damage to the overhead wires as soon as possible. All trains through platforms 13 and 14 will be cancelled or revised during this disruption.”

Travel service Inrix added: "No service on East Midlands Railway between Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road due to overhead line problems. Affecting Northern, TransPennine and