Storm Goretti is set to hit the rail network today and tomorrow (9th January), and TransPennine Express is urging passengers to check before travelling.
The storm is set to bring heavy snow, strong winds and ice to parts of England and Wales.
Due to the expected weather, the line between Manchester and Sheffield will close from 6pm today (8th January)
No trains will then operate until the end of service on Friday, 9th January, and no replacement buses will operate.
Whilst the closure is in place, trains between Liverpool Lime Street and Cleethorpes will only run between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Oxford, and between Sheffield and Cleethorpes.
Ticker acceptance is in place with East Midlands Railway and Northern up until 6 pm on the 8th January. Tickets can also be used on TPE services on the 10th and 11th January.
East Midlands Railway says that the last services along the line will be the 09:52 Norwich – Liverpool Lime Street and the 15:51 Liverpool Lime Street – Norwich.
Responses
Oh dear, yet another “precautionary” cancellation of all trains in an area this time the Hope Valley route. This never used to happen – speed limits were just lowered, train drivers proceeded with caution, and trains were only completely cancelled if there was actual damage to, or blockage of, the line. The Hope Valley route is also substantially in tunnels so is protected from the weather, and the open air parts are at low level, unlike all the roads between Manchester and Sheffield. Closing such a vital artery as a purely precautionary measure is disgraceful.
I believe that Britain has become far too risk adverse. All travel has always carried an element of risk and, everyday, people assess the benefits of doing something against the risk of doing it.
But now, if anyone perceives any risk at all, cancellation is the only answer because “safety is our number 1 priority”. Actually it isn’t or shouldn’t be – running trains should be the number 1 priority for all rail companies.