British Transport Police confirmed it was investigating a crime
11:23, 23 Aug 2025Updated 11:24, 23 Aug 2025
The damaged cables(Image: Network Rail)
Dozens of trains were cancelled this week after signalling cables were cut and stolen. There was widespread disruption on Thursday, August 21, due to “signalling problems” around the Wigan area.
Northern, TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast services were either delayed or cancelled, including trains in and out of Liverpool Lime Street. The issues persisted into Friday with trains running through Wigan North Western and Preston facing cancellations.
The MEN reported that the signalling issues were caused after cables were deliberately cut in “several locations” on a stretch of the West Coast Mainline near Wigan.
In a statement on Thursday, Northern said: “Due to theft of signalling cables between Wigan North Western and Preston train services running through these stations will be cancelled. Network Rail are on site and require more time to work on the issue.”
Network Rail said: “We apologise to passengers caught up in the disruption on the West Coast Mainline today. Unfortunately, signalling cables have been cut in several locations.
“This is criminal damage and the police are investigating.”
A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: “Officers were called at around 11.20pm on August 19 to reports of cable theft at Wigan North Western railway station. Enquiries are ongoing.”
The routes affected by the criminal damage were:
Avanti West Coast between Glasgow Central and Wolverhampton / Birmingham New Street, between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street, between Glasgow Central / Lancaster and London Euston, and also between Blackpool North and Crewe.
Northern between Blackpool North / Wigan North Western and Liverpool Lime Street, and between Wigan North Western and Manchester Victoria.
TransPennine Express between Glasgow Central / Oxenholme Lake District and Liverpool Lime Street, between Lancaster and Manchester Airport, and between Glasgow Central and Manchester Piccadilly.
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