Storm Franklin: trains cancelled in Manchester as Northern suspends North West services - latest delays

All Northern train services were cancelled across the North West on Monday morning as Storm Franklin causes widespread disruption to the rail network.

All journeys were suspended mid-morning, leaving passengers stranded at stations in Manchester, Wigan and Preston.

Northern is warning people not to travel today but said at 11am they hoped to slowly start resuming some North West services - but passengers must expect ‘knock on delays’.

It said disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day and adds that there are no bus replacement services being offered.

A Northern spokesman said: ““Customers are strongly advised not to travel today due to widespread disruption across the network...

“Train services in the North West will shortly start to be reintroduced where possible with more services added as the day passes. Knock on disruption is expected for the rest of the day.”

In an update on Tuesday (22 February), National Rail advised there were no major disruptions to services in the North West.

If you have an unused train ticket for Friday, Saturday or Sunday, most train operators will also allow you to travel instead on Tuesday 22 February, but you are advised to check in advance with the operator as some restrictions apply.

For the latest travel advice, follow Northern Assist on Twitter or see National Rail here.

Other operators

Avanti West Coast is strongly advise customers travelling on Monday to delay their journeys until after 10am on Monday if they can. It said: “Services on the network are subject to speed restrictions, delays and cancellations due to the extreme weather.”

A tree is blocking the railway between Stockport and Macclesfield. Trains may be delayed or diverted via Crewe, not calling at Macclesfield, they warned on Monday morning.

TransPennine Express warned a tree was blocking the line at Gatley, stopping the Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport services from running on Monday morning. Travellers are advised to use Metrolink trams for the same route.

TFGM is reporting some disruption on other tram routes on Monday, with trees blocking the lines at Irk Valley near Victoria meaning service impacts on the Bury, Altrincham, City Zone and Rochdale via Oldham lines - passengers are urged to check TfGN’s live tram page here before travelling.

And Stagecoach warned of delays on some local bus services in the windy weather.

Meanwhile conditions on roads are also challenging and the M60 in Greater Manchester was closed on Monday morning between junctions 10 and 11 as a lorry overturned. There are also delays on the M6 between Preston and Wigan following an incident.n