A freight train derailment on the West Coast Main Line near Carlisle has led to blocked lines and a ‘do not travel’ alert being issued by Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express. Passengers are advised to delay travel or seek alternative services.
Train Derails on West Coast Main Line, Issuing “Do Not Travel” Alert
A freight train derailed between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District on the West Coast Main Line, causing significant disruptions. The incident occurred on Wednesday night and resulted in blocked lines. National Rail Enquiries reported that only a limited train service is running, leading to cancellations and delays between England and Scotland. Train operators Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express have issued a “do not travel” alert, advising passengers to avoid travel between Preston and Scotland on Thursday. Travelers holding tickets are advised to delay their journeys until Friday or use alternative services. Network Rail has been approached for comment.
In separate news, a survey commissioned by Virgin Trains Ticketing revealed that 90% of rail users believe train fares should be universally priced regardless of the retailer. Virgin Trains Ticketing has launched the ‘Charter for Change,’ advocating for fair and competitive rail fare practices, uniform access to tickets, open data sharing, and the inclusion of ‘Delay Repay’ services. Mark Plowright of Virgin Trains Ticketing emphasized the need for transparency to win back passenger trust. The survey also highlighted that 77% of passengers find train fares too complicated and 94% want access to live data for best deals.
Summary of Events:
- Incident: Freight train derailment
- Location: West Coast Main Line, between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District
- Date: Night of May 29, 2024
- Impact: Blocked lines, limited service, “do not travel” alert
- Affected Operators: Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express
- Advice: Delay travel until Friday or use alternative services
Survey Findings:
- Main Concern: Train fare transparency
- Organization: Virgin Trains Ticketing
- Public Opinion: 90% support uniform pricing, 94% want live data access
Virgin Trains Ticketing Initiative:
- Report: ‘Charter for Change’
- Calls For: Fair and competitive rail retail market, open data sharing, inclusion of ‘Delay Repay’ services.