Warning of delays after overhead lines damaged on the West Coast Main Line

Passengers travelling between Wigan North Western and Preston stations on the West Coast Main Line are being advised to check before they travel because of damaged overhead power lines, with disruption expected to continue for the rest of today (April 29).

Network Rail said its engineers are working as fast as they can to fix the 25,000-volt overhead cables near Coppull, Lancashire, after they came down earlier today.

No trains are able to run in either direction on the West Coast Main Line between Wigan North Western and Preston.

Trains are being diverted where possible, but delays and cancellations are expected. Disruption is expected for the rest of the day.

Kara Wood, Network Rail’s acting North West route strategy director, said: “We’re sorry to passengers affected by the problems with the overhead power lines in Coppull. We have specialist repair teams on site working as fast as they can to fix the cables and restore power so trains can safely run again through the area.

“Disruption is expected for the rest of the day so we’re urging people to plan their journeys and check before they travel with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries.”

Work will take place throughout the day to reopen the line as soon as possible.

Investigations into what caused the overhead lines to be brought down are ongoing.