Rail passengers face major disruption between Preston and Manchester this morning as strong winds force speed restrictions and cancellations across the busy North West corridor.
Network Rail has issued safety alerts warning travellers to expect significant delays, with the severe weather conditions making normal operations unsafe on key routes linking the two cities.
The affected line serves dozens of communities across Greater Manchester and Lancashire, with knock-on effects rippling through connections to other major railway hubs. Commuters heading to work and families travelling for half-term are among those caught up in the chaos.
Speed restrictions remain in place as a safety precaution, with train operators working alongside Network Rail to manage services. However, the continuing strong winds mean disruption is likely to persist throughout the day.
Passengers are urged to check National Rail Enquiries or their train operator's website before travelling, with real-time updates available through official social media channels.
The disruption underscores how vulnerable Britain's railway network remains to extreme weather, despite ongoing investment in infrastructure improvements across the North West.