Collapsed telegraph pole causing major train delays set to last all day
by Katie Boyden · MetroA major fault with the electricity supply near Wakefield is causing delays for rail commuters today.
The electricity has had to be switched off between Doncaster and Wakefield, which is blocking all rail lines in the area.
It’s affecting LNER services between Leeds and London Kings Cross, and Northern services between Leeds and Doncaster.
Incredible pictures show major damage to a telegraph pole, which has almost snapped completely in half and is touching the overhead wires.
Northern Powergrid are on site working with Network Rail to try and fix the problem, which requires specialist equipment to sort.
The delays are expected to last until 8pm.
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October 7, 2024 9:59 am
Incredible pictures show damage to overhead wires near Wakefield
We’ve got in touch with LNER to discover the cause of this damage.
October 7, 2024 9:34 am
Delays in the Birmingham area after signal fault
Chiltern Railways and West Midlands Trains services between Birmingham Snow Hill and Whitlocks Ends/Dorridge are currently facing delays.
Trains are being delayed by up to 20 minutes and the disruption is set to last until 10.15am.
October 7, 2024 9:00 am
Alternative options as Wakefield and Doncaster delays set to last all day
As we reported earlier this morning, the power to the overhead electric wires has been switched off between Wakefield and Doncaster which means all lines are closed.
Northern Powergrid are on site liasing with Network Rail to get the problem resolved as soon as possible.
Here is travel advice from the relevant rail networks:
LNER
Rail replacement transport will run between Doncaster and Wakefield Westgate from 7am.
You can use your ticket on the following alternatives:
- CrossCountry between York and Leeds and Leeds and Wakefield Westgate
- Northern between York and Leeds and between Leeds and Wakefield Westgate (please note these services may also be affected)
- TransPennine Express between York and Leeds
Tickets dated today can be used on any LNER service tomorrow, October 8.
Northern
Passengers requiring stations to / from Fitzwilliam can use services via Moorthorpe.
Passengers requiring South Elmsall should consider using Moorthorpe as an alternative station.
Passengers travelling between Leeds and Doncaster can travel via York.
You can use your ticket on the following alternatives:
- CrossCountry services between York / Wakefield Westgate and Leeds
- LNER services between York / Leeds and Doncaster (please note these services may also be affected)
- TransPennine Express services between York and Leeds
Any ticket restrictions have been lifted during this disruption.
Replacement transport will run as follows:
Doncaster to Wakefield Westgate:
- 09:30 2x minibus will depart Doncaster, calling at all advertised stations to Wakefield Westgate
- 10:30 1x coach will depart Doncaster, calling at all advertised stations to Wakefield Westgate
- 11:30 1x coach will depart Doncaster, calling at all advertised stations to Wakefield Westgate
- 12:30 1x coach will depart Doncaster, calling at all advertised stations to Wakefield Westgate
Wakefield Westgate to Doncaster:
- 08:50 1x coach will depart Wakefield Westgate, calling at all advertised stations to Doncaster
- 09:50 1x coach will depart Wakefield Westgate, calling at all advertised stations to Doncaster
- 10:50 1x coach will depart Wakefield Westgate, calling at all advertised stations to Doncaster
- 12:50 1x coach will depart Wakefield Westgate, calling at all advertised stations to Doncaster
- 13:50 1x coach will depart Wakefield Westgate, calling at all advertised stations to Doncaster
Grand Central
Services able to continue their journeys as scheduled, however, they are diverting via Pontefract Monkhill. This may add an additional 15 minutes to your journey time.
October 7, 2024 8:36 am
Here’s the latest on the London Underground
Overall the Tube network is running smoothly this morning, with only minor delays on three lines:
- Bakerloo between Queen’s Park and Elephant & Castle due to an earlier faulty train at Maida Vale
- Central between Leytonstone and Epping / Hainault via Newbury Park due to an earlier signal failure at Chancery Lane
- Elizabeth between Shenfield and Whitechapel while Network Rail fix a fault with the signalling system at Gidea Park
October 7, 2024 8:24 am
Reduced service between Manchester Victoria and Chester
Northern services between Leeds and Chester are facing cancellations or diversions due to a member of the train crew being unavailable.
This disruption is expected to last until around midday.
Northern ticket holders can use the following Transport for Wales services at no additional cost:
Manchester Piccadilly – Chester:
- 07:44 Manchester Piccadilly to Chester
- 08:44 Manchester Piccadilly to Chester
- 09:44 Manchester Piccadilly to Chester
Chester – Manchester Piccadilly:
- 08:52 Chester to Manchester Piccadilly
- 09:52 Chester to Manchester Piccadilly
- 10:52 Chester to Manchester Piccadilly
Northern ticket holders can also use Metrolink services between Manchester stations at no additional cost until 12:00.
October 7, 2024 8:10 am
Gidea Park disruption now expected to last until midday
The ongoing disruption between Shenfield and Romford is now expected to last throughout the morning.
A fault with the signalling system means trains towards Romford are running at a reduced speed and could be cancelled, delayed or revised.
It’s affecting Elizabeth line and Greater Anglia services in the area.
October 7, 2024 7:55 am
Man dies on A27 causing closure in both directions
Sussex Police has now confirmed that a man has died on the A27 near Shoreham, which is why the road has been closed this morning.
A spokesperson for the force said: ‘A road closure is currently in place in both directions in the A27 at Shoreham following an incident where a man has sadly died.
‘The closure is in place on the eastbound carriageway between the Lancing Manor roundabout and westbound at Hangleton.
‘A westbound closure is in place at the Holmbush roundabout and also at the Shoreham flyover.
‘We ask those travelling to take alternate routes while emergency services work at the scene.’
If your journey is affected by this closure, scroll down to see the official diversion route from National Highways.
October 7, 2024 7:40 am
Train driver shortage causing issues between Reading and London Waterloo
A shortage of train drivers is could mean South Western Railway services between Reading and Waterloo could be cancelled.
A reduced service is running between these stations, and it’s thought the disruption could last until 1pm.
Ticket acceptance is in place on the following services:
- London Underground lines from London Waterloo to London Paddington
- Great Western Railway from London Paddington or Wokingham to Reading
- Elizabeth Line from London Paddington to Reading
October 7, 2024 7:30 am
Disruption cleared at Southampton Central
All lines have reopened and service has returned to normal after the overrunning engineering works between Redbridge and St Denys have cleared up.
October 7, 2024 7:18 am
Signal fault causes problems between Kings Lynn and Ely
The fault is causing delays on Great Northern routes between Kings Lynn towards Cambridge or London Kings Cross.
A National Railways spokesperson said: ‘Great Northern trains are being delayed in the Kings Lynn area.
‘Teams have recently been told about this incident disrupting Great Northern services, and are working to get more information for you.
‘Your journey is likely to be disrupted, but there isn’t an exact estimate for any delays at the moment.’
Network Rail is investigating the cause of the fault at the moment.
Trains could be cancelled or delayed while this work is ongoing.
October 7, 2024 6:54 am
A27 closed in both directions after police incident
The A27 in Sussex is closed between the A2025 for Lancing and the A283 for Shoreham in both directions this morning.
National Highways say it’s a police-led incident and that Sussex Police are on scene, but there are no further details yet.
Official diversion routes have been put in place:
Westbound – use hollow triangle diversion symbols
- Exit the A27 at Adur viaduct and take the A283 northbound
- At Washington roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A24 southbound
- Re-join the A27 at Offington corner roundabout
Eastbound – use hollow diamond diversion symbols
- Exit the A27 at Offington corner roundabout
- Take the 1st exit onto the A24 northbound
- At Washington roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A283 southbound
- Re-join the A27 at Adur viaduct
Metro has contacted Sussex Police for more details.
October 7, 2024 6:47 am
Overrunning engineering works causing problems around Southampton Central
The works between Redbridge and St Denys has caused major issues this morning, with trains running to, from or through Southampton Central subject to cancellations and delays.
It’s affecting the following routes:
- Cross Country between Bournemouth/Southampton Central and Manchester Piccadilly
- Cross Country between Bournemouth and Nottingham
- Great Western Railway between Southampton Central and Bristol Temple Meads / Gloucester
- Great Western Railway between Portsmouth Harbour and Cardiff Central
- South Westerm Railway between Southampton Central and Portsmouth & Southsea / Bournemouth
- South Westerm Railway between Weymouth and Southampton Central / London Waterloo
- South Westerm Railway between Poole and Winchester / London Waterloo
- South Westerm Railway between Salisbury and Romsey
This disruption is set to last until around 10am.
October 7, 2024 6:43 am
Disruption between Leeds and London set to last all day
Power to the overhead electric wires between Wakefield and Doncaster has been switched off, closing all lines in the area.
It’s affecting Grand Central services between Bradford Interchange and London Kings Cross, LNER services between Leeds and Kings Cross, and Northern services between Leeds and Doncaster.
A National Rail spokesperson said: ‘Northern Powergrid are on site liasing with Network Rail to get the problem resolved as soon as possible.
‘Due to the nature of this incident, it requires specialist equipment to resolve the issue which is now on site.
‘Buses are replacing LNER and Northern services between Wakefield Westgate and Doncaster.
‘Trains are able to run between Wakefield Kirkgate and Doncaster via a diversionary route which may cause delays of up to 15 minutes.
‘Disruption is expected until 7pm.’
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