LIVE: Manchester Piccadilly services hit by severe delays after overhead lines ‘explode’

Manchester Piccadilly has been hit by serious disruption tonight after an overhead line 'exploded' as Storm Elin battered the city tonight (December 9).

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.

A number of trains have been cancelled across Greater Manchester and the UK and badly delayed due to the storm-related incidents tonight. A number of passengers have been left 'stranded' because of the issues.[1]

Piccadilly Station posted on X, formerly Twitter[4], just before 7pm: “Damage to the overhead wires between Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road[5] means services on platforms 13 and 14 are cancelled or revised.

“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.”

The video reportedly shows explosions on the overhead wires

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 Transport for Wales."

Northern posted: "Due to damage to the overhead electric wires at Manchester Piccadilly some lines are blocked. Disruption is expected until further notice. Network Rail are on site now and are attempting to resolve the issue."

The problems on the railways are not the only issue to hit Greater Manchester’s transport network today. Damage to overhead wires was also done to the Metrolink[6] tram network at Market Street[7] and Firswood, with passengers able to use buses instead.

And the roads also faced issues. The M66 was closed for flooding at 7pm, National Highways confirmed.

Any further updates will be posted below.

References

  1. ^ A number of passengers have been left 'stranded' because of the issues. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  2. ^ LIVE Greater Manchester flooding updates as residents warned 'act now' with SEVEN warnings in place (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  3. ^ LIVE M60 traffic updates as lanes shut after crash and region hit by weather and flood warnings (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  4. ^ Twitter (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  5. ^ Oxford Road (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  6. ^ Metrolink (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
  7. ^ Market Street (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)

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