Storm Franklin causes disruption across rail network as most trains cancelled

Due to severe weather from Storm Franklin, Northern has cancelled the majority of trains in the north west.

As of 10.10am, most services on the Leeds-Rochdale-Manchester Victoria line have been cancelled, with Northern issuing ‘do not travel’ advice. No replacement bus services will be provided.

Currently, the only trains not cancelled according to the Northern website are the hourly services from Clitheroe, which terminate at Rochdale after stopping at Mills Hill and Castleton, plus the 10.48 from Blackburn, which also terminates at Rochdale after stopping at Mills Hill (11.50am) and Castleton (11.56am).

A service from Wigan which stops at Smithy Bridge and Littleborough is on time for 11.51 at Rochdale, before continuing on to Leeds. At the time of publication, this is the only service in this direction.

Information on the Northern website says: “Flooding and trees on the line between Halifax and Todmorden and Leeds and Todmorden via Dewsbury in both directions is preventing services from Leeds to Manchester Victoria from operating in both directions.

“A limited service will operate between Leeds and Halifax in both directions.

“Customers are advised DO NOT TRAVEL on the above routes. Road transport will not be provided.”

 

⚠️Due to severe weather fewer trains are able to run on some lines.

Train services running across the whole Northern network will be cancelled, delayed or suspended.

We are advising customers NOT TO TRAVEL across the Northern network. #NorthernUpdateshttps://t.co/lZlsirpL6B pic.twitter.com/no0pkpAiWr

— Northern 🚆 (@northernassist) February 21, 2022

 

A spokesperson added: “We are hoping to get parts of the railway back later this morning.

“Tickets will be valid later today if the railway reopens, or tomorrow. If you decide not to travel you can get a refund.”

Sean Dyball, TfGM’s Head of Customer Experience, said: “Over the course of the weekend the severe weather caused by Storms Eunice and Franklin created a significant amount of disruption on travel across Greater Manchester.

“Local roads were affected by strong winds and flooding in some areas causing significant congestion and delays this morning - while the rail network and Metrolink saw a number of delays and cancellations caused by debris and trees blowing onto tracks.

“The storm which affected the city-region overnight is now starting to ease and is expected to have cleared by lunchtime, but there may be some further disruption into the evening commuter peak as engineers and transport staff work to clear blockages to lines and get services back up and running.

“As such we would ask people to only travel if absolutely necessary, allow extra time for their journeys – and check the TfGM website and social media for the latest updates.”

Check before you travel

You can plan your journey using the National Rail Enquiries Journey Planner: 

• http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/planjourney/search

For more Storm Franklin travel guidance, please visit

• https://tfgm.com/storm-franklin