‘Do not travel’ – this is what people are being told after a train derailed on a major route.
Chaos has engulfed multiple services between England and Scotland today after cargo wagons came off the rails in Cumbria.
The incident happened yesterday on the West Coast Main Line, between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District.
Nobody was injured during the derailment, but more than 15 hours later, there are still major delays for people.
Some lines are blocked and a very limited train service is running on the line that remains open.
Multiple trains have since been cancelled and delayed, and rail companies have waned of knock-on effects for the rest of the day.
A statement from Avanti West Coast said: ‘Do not travel north of Preston. Services between between Oxenholme Lake District and Penrith have been cancelled due to a freight train derailment blocking the line.
‘Please do not attempt to travel with us between Preston and Scotland today.’
Replying to frantic messaged from stranded passengers, the company added: ‘We are advising customers not to travel today due to the severe disruption.
‘We have no estimated time as to when this will end.’
Meanwhile, TransPennine Express said disruption was expected until at least 2pm.
Ticket holders can delay journeys until tomorrow or travel with other operators.
It remains unclear what caused the freight train to derail.
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