02.03.20
West Coast main line near Warrington closed due to large landslip
Major disruption to follow after Storm Jorge has caused a serious landslip on the West Coast main line near Warrington.
In the interest of passenger safety, the southbound line at Dutton Viaduct has also been closed while Network Rail carries out emergency repairs.
The railway is expected to be shut for several days due to the severity of the landslip, causing disruption along the West Coast main line.
Passengers are being advised to check National Rail Enquires or with their rail operator to see how their journey will be impacted.
The Network Rail engineering team have had a hard few weeks, battling the elements with three major storms over consecutive weekends. These storms have left ground saturated and, in some cases, prone to slips like this one.
Managing Director for Network Rail’s North West and Central region, Tim Shoveller, said: “Sorry to all passengers affected by this emergency line closure. Safety is our priority and the seriousness of this landslip means we’ve had no choice but to close one line at Dutton Viaduct. Our engineers will be working round the clock to make railway safe again for passengers.
I’d urge anyone travelling on the West Coast main line or in the Merseyside area to check before they travel over the next few days as major disruption is expected. I thank people for their patience while we work as hard as we can to get the railway open again.
Image: Network Rail