‘Do not journey’ alert issued after prepare DERAILS close to Carlisle

Commuters have been warned of travel chaos on the railway today, as multiple services between England and Scotland have been disrupted.

A ‘do not travel’ alert has been issued by rail companies after a freight train derailed on a major route between England and Scotland.

Services are being cancelled and delayed because of the incident on the West Coast Main Line between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District on Wednesday night.

Some lines are blocked and a very limited train service is running on the line that remains open, National Rail has said. 

A stock image of an Avanti West Coast train

Train operators Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express has urged passengers not to use their services for journeys between Preston and Scotland on Thursday.

A spokesperson for Avanti 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.

‘Customers with tickets dated yesterday, Wednesday, 29 May and today Thursday, May 30 can use their Avanti West Coast tickets tomorrow, Friday 31 May, at any time via the same route.’  

Ticket holders can use their tickets with other operators including LNER between Edinburgh and Kings Cross, CrossCountry between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street, TPEassist via any reasonable route and ScotRail between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Network Rail has been approached for a comment.