By Habeeb Ibrahim
The theft of power cables worth over £100,000 from a railway line in the UK has caused major disruptions, jeopardizing planned usage by the New Year.
The stolen signalling cables, taken from the railway line between Preston and Bolton over Christmas, have led to the closure of all lines between the two stations. Network Rail stated that the lines would remain closed “for most of the day” as repair work is carried out, with services expected to resume around 18:00 GMT.
This disruption affects key routes, including Blackpool North to Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport, with limited rail replacement buses running to assist passengers.
Network Rail confirmed the cables were critical to powering overhead line equipment for electric trains. The theft has occurred amid the electrification project of the Wigan-Bolton line, an initiative set to enhance railway efficiency but now facing delays.
“I am very sorry to passengers who will be impacted by this disruption,” said Christian Irwin, Network Rail’s capital delivery director. “We are working closely with the British Transport Police to find those responsible and to ensure additional security measures are in place.”
Northern passengers have been granted access to alternative routes on Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express services at no extra cost, though train crew shortages in the region have further compounded challenges.
Authorities are investigating the theft while appealing to the public for information to prevent further disruptions to rail services as New Year approaches.
