Power outage at Manchester signalling hub forces widespread train cancellations in north-west England

A power cut struck the Manchester Rail Operating Centre just before 2 p.m., disabling the signalling infrastructure that controls rail traffic in north-west England. Because the backup generator failed to engage, trains operated by Northern, TransPennine Express and several other operators were forced to stop, prompting widespread cancellations and delays exceeding an hour. Although electricity has been restored, safety procedures require a controlled restart of the signalling systems, meaning many services will remain affected throughout the day.

Network Rail confirmed that some trains are now moving, but the overall timetable remains severely disrupted. Passengers have been advised to consult the National Rail enquiries website for the latest information and to consider alternative routes. In Greater Manchester, commuters can ride any Bee Network bus or Metrolink tram without additional cost as a temporary measure.