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Rail passengers facing more disruption after power outage
Train passengers face across the Midlands and north-west England are facing the threat of further travel chaos today, after a power outage ground trains to a halt.
Network Rail has reported that further disruption is likely today because many trains and their crew “are not where they would normally be after this unexpected incident”.
The disruption means some trains will be delayed, cancelled, or sent on revised routes across the network.
Network Rail’s engineers have been working to fix signalling issues caused after electricity cut out in the main control hub for north-west England’s railways, the Manchester Rail Operating Centre, which led to widespread cancellations and delays to services.
Chris Wright, Network Rail’s North West route director, said yesterday:
“I’m extremely sorry for the disruption today and the very difficult journeys many people have experienced.
Our engineers are working tirelessly to restore the signalling systems impacted by the power cut at lunchtime.”
Key events
Normal service was restored between Preston and Lancaster, on the West Coast mainline, shortly after midnight.
Network Rail: Rail services largely restored across North West
Happily, Network Rail are reporting that “most train services across the North West are running this morning” after yesterday’s power cut – but there is still the risk of disruption.
Network Rail is warning that some TransPennine Express services continue to be affected as trains and crew return to their normal positions following yesterday’s disruption. That suggests there could be problems travelling between major cities in the region today.
Passengers planning to travel this morning are advised to check before they travel using National Rail Enquiries or their train operator’s website for the latest travel information, it says.
Chris Wright, Network Rail’s North West route director, explains:
“I’d like to thank passengers for their patience following yesterday’s power outage and the disruption it caused across the North West.
“Our engineers worked through the night to restore signalling systems and recover the railway, and I’m pleased that most services are now running this morning. While some passengers may still experience disruption, we’re continuing to work closely with train operators to return services to normal as quickly as possible.
“Anyone planning to travel this morning should continue to check before they travel for the latest information.”
Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern, Northern, TransPennine Express, and Transport for Wales were all hit by yesterday’s power outage.
Rail passengers facing more disruption after power outage
Train passengers face across the Midlands and north-west England are facing the threat of further travel chaos today, after a power outage ground trains to a halt.
Network Rail has reported that further disruption is likely today because many trains and their crew “are not where they would normally be after this unexpected incident”.
The disruption means some trains will be delayed, cancelled, or sent on revised routes across the network.
Network Rail’s engineers have been working to fix signalling issues caused after electricity cut out in the main control hub for north-west England’s railways, the Manchester Rail Operating Centre, which led to widespread cancellations and delays to services.
Chris Wright, Network Rail’s North West route director, said yesterday:
“I’m extremely sorry for the disruption today and the very difficult journeys many people have experienced.
Our engineers are working tirelessly to restore the signalling systems impacted by the power cut at lunchtime.”
Introduction: UK house price stagnant
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of business, the financial markets and the world economy.
The Iran war is continuing to have a dampening inpact on the UK’s property market, as persistently high borrowing costs restrain buyers.
Lloyds has reported this morning that average house prices were flat month-on-month in July, and only up by 0.1% compared with a year ago.
Emeritus professor Joe Nellis, head of economic research at MHA, points out that affordability is a ‘huge challenge’ facing potential busyers, explaining:
According to Lloyds Bank’s Affordability Review released late last year, the typical first-time buyer house costs nearly 6 times average annual earnings. For aspiring homeowners, the biggest hurdle is no longer simply finding the right property – it is raising a deposit and passing increasingly demanding mortgage affordability tests.
Although the Bank of England has left interest rates on hold so far this year, mortgage rates have fluctuated as the Middle East conflict has raged, with higher oil prices threatening an inflationary spike.
The agenda
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7am BST: Lloyds house price index
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9am BST: UN’s FAO Food Price Index
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9.30am BST: Public service productivity, quarterly, UK: January to March 2026
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1.30pm BST: US non-farm payroll jobs report for July
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