Major disruption as Greater Manchester trains hit by Storm Darragh aftermath

Trains heading between Manchester and London are among a number of services hit by the aftermath of Storm Darragh. The fourth named storm of the season had a devastating impact on the UK at the weekend.

Two men were tragically killed in their vehicles by falling trees, including a man in Lancashire. Meanwhile, there was major disruption to travel services across the country.

That disruption is continuing today (December 9), as Network Rail deals with the aftermath of Storm Darragh. Services on the West Coast Mainline have been hit by two major incidents which engineers are working to repair.

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In Staffordshire, a fallen tree needed to be removed near Stone, leaving damage to overhead wires which require repair. It means there are no services between Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford on the West Coast Mainline, including services running to and from Manchester Piccadilly.

At Stoke station, departure screens show several cancelled services, including most Manchester trains. The disruption is set to last today.

Gary Walsh, Network Rail's West Coast South route director, said: "This weekend, Storm Darragh wreaked havoc on the railway. We've got teams working up and down the West Coast Mainline removing debris that's causing obstructions to passenger and freight services.

"We apologise to passengers that there are no train services available between Stafford and Stoke while complex repairs to our overhead line equipment are made on this critical part of the West Coast Mainline. Passengers looking to travel between Stoke and Stafford should check with their train operator for the latest travel information."

Meanwhile, there are also