Bolton train passengers warned of ‘severe disruption’

The fault is affecting the Manchester Oxford Road, Bolton, Wigan, Southport service and as a result all lines are blocked due to the fault between Wigan Wallgate and Salford Crescent.

Train services running through these stations may be cancelled or delayed by up to 15 minutes, with disruption expected until the end of the day.

A spokesman for Northern said: “Services between Hindley and Salford Crescent are being disrupted due to a fault with the signalling system. Network Rail staff are on site.”

Train services on the following routes in this direction only will divert where possible via an alternative route however will not call at stations between Hindley and Salford Crescent via Atherton –

Headbolt Lane to Blackburn
Wigan Wallgate to Leeds
Wigan Wallgate to Manchester Victoria

Train services on the following routes in this direction only will be able to call at all stations between Salford Crescent and Hindley via Atherton however are subject to short notice delays and cancellations due to this issue –

Blackburn to Headbolt Lane
Leeds to Wigan Wallgate
Manchester Victoria to Wigan Wallgate

Northern services between Southport and Manchester Oxford Road and Southport and Stalybridge are not affected.

Passengers travelling from Wigan Wallgate to stations between Hindley and Salford Crescent are advised to board a service that will divert via Bolton, alight at Salford Crescent to connect with a alternative Northern service towards Wigan Wallgate which is able to call at stations between Salford Crescent and Hindley.

Passengers can also travel on Bee Network buses on the following services between Manchester Stations and Wigan Wallgate at no extra cost –

V1, V2, 608, 609, 35, 132, 601, 602, 640, 641, 635, 632, 36, 37, 38 and 607

Northern train ticket restrictions have been lifted in the affected areas, including Advance and Peak restrictions, during this disruption. Restrictions will be reinstated once the disruption ends.

For real time journey updates or to replan a journey visit www.nationalrail.co.uk
Those who have been delayed by 15 minutes or more, hold on to your tickets and claim compensation by visiting www.northernrailway.co.uk/delayrepay.