'Major disruption' on Greater Manchester train line with cancellations and delays of up to an hour

Rail passengers in Greater Manchester are facing 'major disruption' due to a fault on the track. An issue has arisen on the stretch of track between Eccles in Salford and Newton-le-Willows on Merseyside.

A safety inspection of the area, near Patricroft in Eccles, is currently taking place. In the meantime a number of major routes, including Liverpool to Manchester,. are being affected with trains currently being cancelled or delayed by up to an hour. The disruption is expected to last until 10pm this evening.

The travel service Inrix said it was mainly affecting trains heading towards Manchester but that some 'knock on' disruption was also affecting westbound journeys.

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The trains currently impacted are Northern services between;

As well as TransPennine Express services between;

And Transport for Wales services between;

Northern customers can travel between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Oxford Road via Warrington Central and can use Metrolink services between Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly to connect with services to Chester from Manchester Piccadilly, National Rail say. TransPennine customers can use Northern services between Liverpool and Manchester Oxford Road.