Severe staff shortages and a £100,000 theft of signaling cables have caused widespread disruption to train services in Greater Manchester and the wider north west of England.
Greater Manchester and the wider north west are facing travel disasters today as train operator Northern grapples with severe staff shortages , and railway lines have suffered a £100k theft grinding them to a halt. Northern has issued an apology, saying that due to a lack of available conductors for Sunday shifts, it is implementing a reduced timetable across its network, aiming to provide 'structure' amidst a spate of last-minute cancellations.
The rail service, which came under government control in March 2020, has seen persistent disruptions on Sundays, a day not covered by standard working contracts. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham previously labelled Northern a 'part-time rail service', referencing the frequent train cancellations. Meanwhile other services - including Northern and TransPennine Express trains across Greater Manchester - have been cancelled today following a £100,000 theft on the railway lines. The theft of high voltage signalling cables took place between Wigan and Bolton. Engineers discovered the missing cable when they arrived to carry out work in the Lostock area of Bolton over the Christmas period in part of the ongoing £1m works to electrify the line between Wigan and Bolton, which began in 2022. The stolen cable provides power to the overhead line equipment, which powers electric trains across the tracks. The theft, occurring just a week before the line was set to be energised on New Year's Day, has caused significant setbacks. Network Rail officials have stated that the stolen cable must now be replaced and retested. Rail authorities are collaborating with the police to 'find and prosecute those responsible.' £100k theft The affected routes today (Sunday, December 28) because of the cable theft include Blackpool North to Preston in both directions, with fewer trains running and limited replacement road transport replacing rail service
Rail Disruption Theft Staff Shortages Greater Manchester
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