Trains on three routes in and out of Greater Manchester have been either cancelled or delayed this afternoon as a result of separate issues.
A safety inspection of the track means trains are currently unable to run from Manchester Oxford Road towards Warrington and Liverpool Lime Street.
"Train services running to and from these stations will be delayed by up to 60 minutes or diverted" train operator Northern said. "Some stations between Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool Lime Street will not be served" they added.
It is not clear what the issue is but they said track operator Network Rail were due on site shortly to "examine the affected area."
There has also been disruption on two other lines due to "trespassers on the railway." Some services at Bolton station are being cancelled, or at having to run at reduced speeds. This is due to a "trespass incident" on the line between Horwich Parkway and Bolton affecting trains in both directions.
"Train services running through this station may be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised" Northern said, with the disruption expected beyond 3:30pm.
The line eventually re-opened shortly before 4pm. British Transport Police said a woman had been arrested in connection with the disruption.
"We were called to Bolton station at 2.22pm today, August 1, following reports of a trespasser" they said in a statement.
"Officers attended and the woman was removed from the railway. She has since been arrested for trespassing."
Earlier the line between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale was blocked due to what Northern said were trespassers on the railway.
The trespassers have left, but at least three services running between Rochdale and Clitheroe have been badly delayed as a result. Anyone delayed by more than 15 minutes can claim compensation using the Delay Repay scheme.
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