Heavy rain in Greater Manchester causes disruption on trains and roads on Thursday - plus 5-day forecast

Downpours overnight have caused disruption on a number of train lines and roads in Greater Manchester on Thursday.

Network Rail warned of ‘challenging conditions’ this morning on the railways, with flooding on the line between Manchester and Liverpool Lime Street. Staff have been called out to try to pump out water from the tracks.

There has also been flooding on the line between Eccles and Newton-le-Willows overnight which has led to cancellations.

Northern advises ticket acceptance has been granted to passengers to travel on Metrolink services between Altrincham and Manchester and Eccles and Manchester instead.

People have been asked to check at NationalRail.co.uk before making journeys for live updates on which services have been cancelled or delayed.

Transport for Greater Manchester has also warned of a road closure on the A555 Manchester Airport Link Road between Styal Road and Woodford Road eastbound because of ‘flooding caused by heavy rain’.

TfGM warned traffic lights are all out at the junction with Styal Road and an engineer had been called to fix the fault. The road is also closed westbound between Woodford Road and A34 Wilmslow-Handforth Bypass.

TfGM also highlighted a partial closure on the A576 Middleton Road in Blackley on Wednesday night into Thursday morning.