'Do not travel' warning issued for commuters on Greater Manchester train routes

Rail commuters in Greater Manchester have been issued a 'do not travel' warning on a number of key routes on Sunday. Network Rail said Northern services would be affected across the north west throughout the day, saying 'short notice' cancellations were expected.

Northern said the issue was due to staff unavailability. Trains are said to be suspended on several routes.

Network Rail said: "Short notice cancellations are expected in the north west today, Sunday 6 October, due to train crew not being available. Please check your journey before travelling. You are advised not to travel on the following routes as trains are suspended."

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They are:

• Colne - Preston
• Stalybridge - Manchester Victoria
• Manchester Victoria - Chester via Warrington Bank Quay
• Manchester Piccadilly - Stoke-on-Trent

Bus replacement services will not be running on those routes.

Network Rail added a 'high number of cancellations' were also expected on a number of other routes.

They are:

• Oxenholme Lake District - Windermere
• Lancaster - Morecambe
• Preston - Blackpool South
• Preston - Wigan North Western
• Manchester Victoria - Clitheroe
• Manchester Victoria - Southport
• Manchester Victoria - Bolton
• Manchester Piccadilly – Crewe

Network Rail said: "Services on other routes in and around the north west may also be subject to disruption. You are encouraged to plan ahead and check your journey in full before travelling, particularly last trains of the day, as they may be earlier than usual or cancelled at short notice.

"Any rail replacement transport that is operating will be advertised in online journey planners."

Northern said: "Due to train crew being unavailable we are advising customers DO NOT TRAVEL on the following routes: Manchester Victoria – Stalybridge; Preston – Colne; Manchester Victoria – Chester and Manchester Piccadilly – Stoke on Trent

"We encourage everyone to plan ahead and check journeys before travelling, particularly last trains of the day which may be earlier than usual and may be cancelled at short notice. There will be no Northern trains running and there are no available rail replacement buses on these routes. If you do travel, please leave yourself plenty of time to do so and don't rely on last services."

Engineering work is also taking place today between Wigan Wallgate and Walkden and Bolton.