Commuters and travellers between two of Northwest England's biggest cities are facing severe disruption today as a critical railway line closure has brought services between Manchester and Liverpool to a near-standstill.
Major infrastructure problems near Earlestown have forced Network Rail to completely shut the line, creating a travel nightmare for thousands of passengers during peak travel periods. The closure affects both Northern and TransPennine Express services, with disruption expected to continue throughout the day.
Widespread Cancellations and Lengthy Delays
Rail operators are reporting significant knock-on effects across the region's network. Services between Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street have been particularly hard hit, with many trains cancelled outright and others experiencing delays of up to 90 minutes.
Passengers attempting to travel between Manchester Victoria and Liverpool are facing similar challenges, with limited services operating and severe congestion reported at key stations.
Replacement Transport Struggling to Cope
In response to the crisis, rail operators have implemented emergency replacement bus services between Newton-le-Willows and Manchester Victoria. However, these services are reportedly struggling to manage the volume of stranded passengers.
"We're doing everything we can to get people moving," said a Network Rail spokesperson. "Our engineers are working at the site to resolve the infrastructure issue as quickly as possible, but passengers should expect significant disruption for the remainder of the day."
Passenger Advice
- Allow substantial extra time for journeys between Manchester and Liverpool
- Check with your specific train operator before travelling
- Consider alternative routes where possible
- Replacement buses are operating but experiencing high demand
The disruption comes at a particularly busy time for travel between the two cities, affecting business commuters, leisure travellers, and airport passengers alike. Rail operators have confirmed that tickets will be accepted on alternative routes and services, though journey times will be significantly extended.
