West Coast Main Line rail passengers face continued disruption following Storm Darragh

Rail passengers travelling South from Stockport are facing disruption, following damage to the West Coast Mainline in the West Midlands caused by Storm Darragh.

Network Rail is urging rail passengers using the line to check with the train operators with regard to alternative travel options or delays facing services.

A section of the West Coast Main Line near Stone in Staffordshire remains closed after a fallen tree damaged overhead power lines, meaning no trains are running between Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford on Monday 9th December. Cross Country Trains services between Manchester, Stockport and Birmingham are being diverted via Crewe, and so will not call at Macclesfield or Stoke-on-Trent. Rail replacement transport is also operating between Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent.

Network Rail’s engineers have also undertaken emergency work to complete repairs to overhead line equipment in Warwickshire (pictured), leading to further delays and some cancellations on the route between London Euston, the North West and Scotland.

Gary Walsh, Network Rail’s West Coast South route director, said:

“This weekend, Storm Darragh wreaked havoc on the railway. We’ve got teams working up and down the West Coast Main Line removing debris that’s causing obstructions to passenger and freight services.

“We apologise to passengers that there are no train services available between Stafford and Stoke while complex repairs to our overhead line equipment are made on this critical part of the West Coast Main Line. Passengers looking to travel between Stoke and Stafford should check with their train operator for the latest travel information.”

Elsewhere in the network, disruption following the weekend’s storm has begun to ease, with services in Wales and the South West worst affected by damage caused by high winds and heavy rain. In the North, disruption to services between Leeds and Wakefield, and between Bolton and Blackburn has now been cleared.