Avanti West Coast : 'Do not travel' warning after train derails on major line

With Avanti West Coast saying disruption on the line between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District will be back to normal tomorrow this ends our coverage for today.

Please check back tomorrow for further updates.

Avanti West Coast says it hopes disruption between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District will end tomorrow.

In response to a passenger asking the company whether their train would be affected tomorrow, it replied on Twitter: "We're hoping for the service disruption to be cleared by then but please do check."

The page linked back to the train service operator's live departures and arrivals webpage.

Network Rail has issued a statement on yesterday's derailment which has now been cleared although delays remain.

The rail operator said its engineers are working as fast as possible to make the route safe for passengers.

Kara Wood, Network Rail’s acting North West route strategy director, said: “We’re sorry to passengers affected by the derailment. We have specialist repair teams on site working as fast as they can to make the railway safe.

“Disruption is expected for the rest of the day, so we’re urging people to plan their journeys and check before they travel with their train operator or National Rail Enquiries.”

Network Rail said works would continue throughout the day in order to reopen the line as quickly as possible.

A video posted to Twitter has shown the full extent of the Avanti West Coast derailment.

A Network Rail picture has shown one of the derailed train's carriages hanging off the line.

Avanti West Coast has said it does not know when disruption is likely to end after last night's derailment.

Replying to one passenger on Twitter who thought disruption would end at 2pm it said: "We haven't given a time as to when this disruption is likely to end.

"We have issued do not travel advice to customers, with their ticket valid for travel tomorrow."

Passengers have been left fuming as train cancellations continue as a result of the derailment.

One traveller posted on Twitter: "Saving your own skin by saying you can use another train, but can't get past the route you need to go through so just go somewhere else so you can't claim a refund? Always a joke this service."

While another added: "This is the third Thursday in a row that the service has not been running, what is the alternative you are providing?"

Passengers using Avanti West Coast services to travel from Inverness in Scotland to London Euston have reported five-hour delays.

One passenger said on Twitter: "Kinda feel for the passengers on 1M16, the southbound Inverness to Euston sleeper.

"Presently 300 minutes late approaching Oxenholme, due to an earlier derailed train."

Commuters have reported "scenes of chaos" after the train derailed last night.

One person took to Twitter saying: "Once again I have arrived at Preston to scenes of chaos.

"Apparently a freight has derailed north of Oxenholme."

Avanti West Coast has issued a statement after one of its trains derailed this morning leading to long delays.

It read: "Do not travel north of Preston. Services 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, May 29 and today Thursday, May 30 can use their Avanti West Coast tickets tomorrow, Friday, May 31, at any time via the same route."

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