Commuters in Manchester faced significant disruptions during rush hour today, with multiple rail services delayed or cancelled due to a faulty train at Ashburys station. The incident, which has been causing ripple effects across major routes, prompted National Rail to warn passengers of ongoing delays, urging them to plan their journeys accordingly.
The disruptions began early this morning, with services between Ashburys and Manchester Piccadilly most affected. National Rail confirmed that a train fault at Ashburys station had led to the closure of several lines, causing major delays on key commuter routes. Passengers were warned that the problem could affect services until at least 9am.
Impact on Key Routes
According to National Rail, the faulty train caused significant disruption on several services, including Northern and TransPennine Express routes. Passengers travelling between Manchester Piccadilly and Ashburys, as well as on other routes like Stalybridge to Manchester Piccadilly, faced long delays or cancellations.
One of the major effects was seen on Northern services, with disruptions extending to Hadfield, Rose Hill Marple, and New Mills Central stations. Similarly, TransPennine Express trains running towards Huddersfield and York were delayed or cancelled as a result of the fault.
Inrix, a traffic monitoring system, reported that some services were “at a stand,” further compounding the morning chaos. These delays were particularly significant during the rush hour, which meant many commuters faced extended wait times.
Resolution and Recovery
By mid-morning, National Rail confirmed that the issue had been resolved, with lines reopening once the faulty train had been moved from the track. However, the recovery process was not immediate.
Delays of up to 15 minutes were still expected as services returned to normal. National Rail advised passengers to check for updates before setting off, as some services might still experience minor disruptions.
A spokesperson for National Rail stated that “the earlier faulty train at Ashburys has now been moved, allowing all lines at this station to reopen,” but warned that some trains would still be subject to delays as services recovered.
