Passengers warned Crewe signalling failure disruption will continue this weekend

Passengers are being thanked for their patience, as engineers continue to fix a major fault with railway signalling affecting trains between Manchester and Birmingham.

Specialist teams from Network Rail and the signalling system manufacturer are working around the clock in Crewe and at the Manchester South Control Centre to find the fault and fix it.

Engineers have repaired and checked miles of signalling cable to try to restore the signalling.

Usually this resolves a signalling outage but the technical team and manufacturer is now focusing its investigations on an unprecedented computer software issue.

The complexity of the fault means that trains will continue to be disrupted this weekend.

Phil James, Network Rail’s North West route director, said: “I appreciate this signalling failure in Crewe is a huge inconvenience to passengers and I’d just like to really apologise. I’ve had engineers working all night alongside the signalling manufacturer to find out what’s gone wrong.

“I’m hugely sorry this is going to have to continue into the weekend. The emergency timetable will remain in place and I’d urge all passengers planning to travel to check www.nationalrail.co.uk as we continue to find the cause and fix it.”

A spokesperson for Avanti West Coast said: “We are working hard with Network Rail and industry partners to minimise disruption to journeys on our Manchester route. Customers who have booked to travel to or from Manchester, Stockport and Wilmslow this weekend can travel on any of our Manchester services until Monday 21st September. We advise checking our website for the most up to date information before going to the station.”

The signalling issue is affecting all trains between Crewe and Manchester and Macclesfield and Manchester.

This is having a knock-on impact to services to Birmingham and the wider rail network.

Passengers are urged to check with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries to find out how their journey is impacted.

For a detailed blog on how Network Rail is working to fix the issue click here: www.networkrail.co.uk/working-to-repair-a-major-signalling-fault-in-crewe/

To help maintain social distancing, customers who have booked to travel to or from Manchester, Stockport and Wilmslow between Friday 18 – Monday 21 September can travel on any of our Manchester services until Monday 21st September (inclusive).

Boarding controls may be in place to maintain social distancing.

Ticket acceptance is in place with other train operators.

We advise checking the Avanti West Coast website for the most up-to-date information before going to the station.