Northern warns customers over ongoing signalling problems - Manchester/Crewe

The issue, which is being dealt with by specialist teams from Network Rail, means rail replacement buses will be in operation between Manchester Piccadilly and Crewe, while services between Manchester Piccadilly and Stoke are following an amended timetable and may be subject to disruption.

There is potential that the signalling problem may continue into Monday. As a precaution, Northern will provide additional rail replacement buses on Monday morning between Handforth and Wilmslow, and Alderley Edge and Wilmslow, to help school children in the area. Both buses will depart at 8.15am

Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “We are working hard with Network Rail and our other industry partners to minimise disruption to our customers.

“We are doing all we can to keep people on the move in the affected areas and have arranged replacement buses that will call at all stations on the routes between Manchester and Crewe.

“We are also extremely conscious of the impact this may have on schoolchildren, particular those travelling to and from Wilmslow, and will be providing additional bus services on Monday morning.”

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West Route Director, said: “I appreciate this signalling failure in Crewe is a huge inconvenience to passengers and I’d just like to really apologise. I’ve had engineers working all night alongside the signalling manufacturer to find out what’s gone wrong. I’m hugely sorry this is going to have to continue into the weekend.”

Chris added: “Journeys on the affected routes will take longer than usual – even where we are able to operate trains – and I am asking all customers to plan their journeys carefully and allow extra time for travel.”

Full details of the amended timetables can be found online via National Rail Enquiries.