A ‘do not travel’ alert issued as train derails on a major route

A freight train has derailed on a major route and thousands of passengers are facing chaos and a “do not travel” alert has been issued.

The train derailed on the West Coast Main Lin between Oxenholme Lake District and Carlisle and passengers are being told to expect delays.

There is a limited train service in place and some lines are blocked, operators at Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express said.

A spokesman for Avanti West Coast said: “Please do not attempt to travel with us between Preston and Scotland today.”

A spokesman from Transpennine Express said: “Due to an extremely limited train service as well as difficulty in sourcing road transport, customers travelling between Preston and Glasgow Central and between Preston and Edinburgh in both directions are advised not to travel.”