Major travel disruption in Greater Manchester after car crashes on rail lines and driver arrested

There’s major travel disruption in Greater Manchester after a car smashed through a rail bridge and fell on the tracks.

The incident happened about 2am near Regent Road roundabout in Eccles, Salford.

A man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and taken to hospital with injuries that aren’t believed to be serious.

No other vehicles were involved.

The road reopened at 7.30am and pictures later showed the car being lifted away, but rail firms said problems were likely for much of the day.

Network Rail’s page on the incident said no trains would run through Eccles until the line is cleared.

It means services between Newton-le-Willows / Wigan North Western and Manchester Oxford Road / Manchester Victoria will be cancelled, revised or diverted.

TransPennine Express services are not running between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria.

People going between those cities are advised to travel via Warrington Central instead.

Northern trains are also affected between Liverpool and Manchester Airport, and Chester and Leeds to Manchester Victoria.

Transport for Wales routes from Chester / Llandudno to Manchester Airport / Manchester Oxford Road are impacted, as are Holyhead to Manchester Airport services.

Replacement buses are running in some areas and tickets are being accepted on other services.

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A Network Rail spokesperson said engineers were “assessing the situation in order to repair the damaged cables as quickly as possible” but the line was likely to stay closed for most of the day.

They added: “We’re really sorry to any passengers affected by this incident and urge anyone planning to travel by train between Liverpool and Manchester to plan ahead and check with their train operator for the latest travel information.”