Train lines blocked as police respond to 'person in precarious position'

A number of train lines from Manchester were blocked this morning as police responded to 'concerns for the welfare of a person in a precarious position'.

Police were called to the incident at Holmes Chapel at around 4.30am. Several train lines from Manchester Piccadilly were blocked as a result.

Officers from the British Transport Police said the person 'has now been taken to a place of safety'. Lines are now being reopened, though disruption is expected to continue into the morning.

READ MORE: Warning bikes on Metrolink trams could 'cause major problems' as 'soft trial' plans announced

According to National Rail, the routes affected include the Avanti West Coast service between Manchester Piccadilly and Crewe/London Euston, CrossCountry between Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New Street/Bournemouth, Northern between Manchester Piccadilly and Alderley Edge/Crewe/Wilmslow and Transport for Wales between Manchester Piccadilly and Cardiff/Carmarthen.

Trains on these routes may be cancelled, delayed or diverted. Disruption may last until 9.15am.

A tweet posted by the British Transport Police said: "Officers are currently at Holmes Chapel following concerns for the welfare of a person in a precarious position. There may be some disruption to journeys between Manchester and Crewe this morning - so please check before travelling."

A further tweet added: "This person has now been taken to a place of safety and lines are reopening. Please do continue to check before travelling, as there may be some ongoing disruption."

National Rail said: "A trespasser on the railway between Wilmslow and Crewe means that all lines are blocked. Trains running between these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or