Commuters have been plunged into a morning of travel chaos and have been warned to expect hours of disruption on railway lines coming into a major UK city.
Trains from Northern, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales have been impacted by a points failure at Earlestown early this morning causing major disruption in Manchester.
Railway lines between Manchester, Liverpool and Warrington Bank Quay are currently closed and the delays for travellers are expected to continue throughout the morning.
Rail passengers have been told at Manchester Piccadilly that trains are back moving and will be running normally soon.
A post on X by Manchester Piccadilly reads: "Thanks for your patience while we fixed a track fault between #Liverpool and #Manchester this morning
"Trains are now back on the move and willl be running normally shortly."
Here is a map showing the disruption for travellers in the North West due to the signal failure at Earlestown.
The incident was reported at 5:49am this morning and "major disruption" is expected until 9.30am.
Travellers have been told that the points failure at Earlestown has now been resolved but the "major disruption" for trains is now expected to continue until 9.30am.
National Rail stated on X: "All lines have now reopened following an earlier points failure at Earlestown. Trains running between Liverpool Lime Street / Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester may continue to be cancelled, delayed by up to 40 minutes, revised or diverted. Major disruption is expected until 09:30."
It also posted: "Transport for Wales replacement road transport will operate between Warrington Bank Quay and Chester for the cancelled 09:20 departure (operated by Keanes)."
A statement from Transport for Wales says that a vehicle is being "sourced" to provide transport by road for the section between Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Piccadilly affected by the signal failure.
It states: "Replacement road transport is currently being sourced for affected customers between Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Piccadilly. You will be updated here once this is confirmed.
"If you are travelling between Chester and Manchester Piccadilly, you can travel via Crewe on alternative Transport for Wales services at no extra cost.
"To assist you with your journey your ticket will be accepted, at no extra cost, on the following alternatives: Avanti West Coast services between Chester and Crewe; East Midlands Railway services between Warrington Central and Manchester Piccadilly; Northern services between Chester and Manchester Piccadilly and TransPennine Express between Warrington Central and Manchester Airport."
National Rail has given an update on the services which are currently affected by the signal failure.
It states: "Northern services between Chester and Leeds, an between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Airport, also between Chester / Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria.
"TransPennine Express services between Liverpool Lime Street and Newcastle / Stalybridge. Transport for Wales services between Chester / Holyhead / Llandudno and Manchester Airport."
TransPennine Express customer advice: "Services between Liverpool Lime Street and Newcastle may be delayed, revised, or cancelled.
"Services may be diverted between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria via an alternative route and may be delayed.
"Trains diverting via this alternative route will be unable to serve Lea Green and Newton-le-Willows. They will also call at Manchester Piccadilly instead of Manchester Victoria."
Customers have also been told they can use their tickets on East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly, as well as Northern services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Oxford Road.
National Rail has shared a post with the times rail replacement road transport will run for Northern services.
#Earlestown - Northern - Rail replacement transport will operate as follows:
— National Rail (@nationalrailenq) October 15, 2025
- 07:15 from Manchester Victoria to Warrington Bank Quay
- 07:40 from Warrington Bank Quay to Manchester Victoria
- 07:55 from Huyton to Manchester Oxford Road
- 08:00 from Manchester Oxford Road to…
Commuters are still facing chaos this morning following a points faliure at Earlestown.
National Rail said disruption is still expcted to last until around 9am this morning.
Road transport for impacted Transport for Wales services is currently being sourced.
This service will run between Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Piccadilly.
Passengers looking to travel between Chester and Manchester Piccadilly have been advised to travel via Crewe on alternative Transport for Wales services, which will be available at no extra cost.
National Rail said: "To assist you with your journey your ticket will be accepted, at no extra cost, on the following alternatives:
Avanti West Coast services between Chester and Crewe
East Midlands Railway services between Warrington Central and Manchester Piccadilly
Northern services between Chester and Manchester Piccadilly
TransPennine Express between Warrington Central and Manchester Airport."
Services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria will be diverted via a different route.
National Rail said: "Trains diverting via this alternative route will be unable to serve Lea Green or Newton-le-Willows."
Rail replacement buses have been requested to to run between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria via Lea Green and Newton-le-Willows.
Rail replacement transport is due to be provided for passengers due to take impacted Northern services this morning.
National Rail said: "Rail replacement transport has been requested to run between Huyton and Manchester Oxford, and also between Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Victoria in both directions.
"Once confirmed, more information will be provided."
Passengers have been warned that their journeys could be an hour longer than usual while taking road transport.
A National Rail spokesperson said: "A points failure at Earlestown means all lines are currently closed.
"As a result, trains running between Liverpool Lime Street / Warrington Bank Quay may be cancelled or revised. Disruption is expected until 09:00."
A National Rail spokesperson said the disruption on these lines could last until 9am this morning.
This means morning commuters could be forced to find alternatives routes to work, school and more.
A list of services affected by the points faliure has been shared by National Rail:
Trains running between Manchester, Liverpool Lime Street and Warrington Bank Quay are currently cancelled following a points faliure on the network.
A National Rail spokesperson said: "A points failure at Earlestown means all lines are currently closed."
This early morning travel nightmare is expected to last until around 9am this morning.
