A lightning strike has caused significant disruption for commuters on a major rail route into London, with delays of up to 30 minutes expected throughout the day. The extreme weather event damaged the signalling system between Crewe and Liverpool South Parkway and Warrington Bank Quay, forcing all lines to close temporarily.
Affected Services and Routes
National Rail has warned that services on Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway are experiencing delays and cancellations. The disruption affects routes between London Euston and key destinations including Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Preston, and Liverpool Lime Street. The issue is expected to persist until the end of the day.
Full List of Disrupted Routes
- Avanti West Coast: Between London Euston and Liverpool Lime Street, Preston, Blackpool North, Lancaster, Glasgow Central, and Edinburgh; between Birmingham New Street and Glasgow Central and Edinburgh; between Wolverhampton and Glasgow Central; and between Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street, Blackpool North, and Glasgow Central.
- London Northwestern Railway: Between Birmingham New Street or Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street.
Passengers are advised to check live departure boards, as several trains have been cancelled. For example, the 8:07 am Avanti service from Euston to Liverpool Lime Street, the 8:10 am to Birmingham New Street, and the 9:05 am to Liverpool Lime Street have all been cancelled.
Heatwave Exacerbates Rail Issues
The lightning strike comes amid an almost week-long heatwave gripping the UK and western Europe. Network Rail has reported that ground rail temperatures have exceeded 50°C this week, which can cause rails to buckle. To ensure safety, trains are sometimes required to slow down, adding to delays.
Yesterday, hundreds of commuters were stuck in a tunnel en route to London after two trains experienced technical glitches during the record-breaking heat. One of the affected trains was an empty Eurostar service, causing knock-on delays at St Pancras International and long queues of holidaymakers.
Weather Forecast
Large parts of the UK, including London and the South East, are set to endure another sweltering day with temperatures above 30°C. The Met Office has forecast possible thundery showers later, which could provide some relief but also pose further risks.
Passengers affected by delays may be eligible for compensation under the Delay Repay scheme. It is advisable to note journey times and retain tickets for claims.
