On September 24, 2025, commuters across Greater Manchester awoke to a morning of chaos as both tram and rail networks suffered significant disruptions, exposing vulnerabilities in the region’s vital transport infrastructure. While engineers scrambled to restore order, passengers faced mounting frustration, confusion, and uncertainty—a situation that underscored not just the technical fragility of the network but also the urgent need for long-term investment and robust contingency planning.
The trouble began early, with Northern rail services between Ashburys and Romiley grinding to a halt after a points failure blocked all lines. According to National Rail, not a single train could operate on that stretch, leaving commuters stranded at stations and forcing the operator to scramble replacement buses to fill the gap. The knock-on effect was immediate: services between Manchester Piccadilly and Romiley were hastily diverted via Guide Bridge, but the disruption rippled outwards, affecting schedules and connections across the city and beyond.
National Rail’s spokesperson confirmed the gravity of the situation, stating, “No trains will be running between Ashburys and Romiley due to the failure, with replacement buses provided at the affected stations.” While engineers were dispatched to the scene in hopes of a quick fix, the prognosis was grim—disruptions would likely persist throughout the day.
Meanwhile, commuters hoping to avoid the rail chaos by switching to Metrolink trams were met with little relief. A communications fault led to the suspension of tram services between Rochdale Town Centre and Freehold in Oldham, leaving passengers stranded at key stops including Westwood, Oldham King Street, Oldham Central, Derker, Shar, and Crompton. Though the communications fault was eventually resolved, severe delays continued to plague the Rochdale line, which stretches all the way to East Didsbury via Manchester city centre. Inrix, the traffic monitoring service, warned that full service restoration was nowhere in sight, and delays would likely persist for the foreseeable future.
The Bee Network, responsible for much of Greater Manchester’s public transport, quickly moved to soften the blow. Passengers with valid tickets or passes were granted access to a range of bus routes—17, 57, 59, 76, 81, 83, and more—to help them navigate around the crippled tram network. While these alternative options provided a lifeline to some, many commuters reported confusion and lengthy waits as they tried to decipher new routes and timetables on the fly.
For residents of Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport, and surrounding areas, the double whammy of rail and tram failures brought the region’s reliance on public transport into sharp focus. With thousands of people depending on these networks to get to work, school, and essential appointments, the disruptions were more than an inconvenience—they were a major obstacle to daily life and local commerce.
As the day wore on, the frustration among passengers grew. Some described long waits for replacement buses, while others lamented the lack of clear communication about when services would return to normal. The official messaging from both National Rail and the Bee Network was met with mixed reactions; while some appreciated the updates and alternative travel options, others felt left in the dark about the true extent of the problems and the timeline for resolution.
According to the Bee Network, “Passengers with valid tickets or passes are being allowed to board bus services, including routes 17, 57, 59, 76, 81, 83, and several others, to help them reach their destinations.” This stopgap measure, though helpful, did little to ease the broader anxiety about the reliability of Greater Manchester’s transport system.
Behind the scenes, engineers from Network Rail and other agencies worked tirelessly to identify and fix the points failure on the rail network and the communications fault on the trams. Their efforts were crucial in preventing an even wider collapse of service, but as the hours ticked by, it became clear that restoring normal operations would be no easy feat. The situation was fluid, with officials urging commuters to monitor official channels for the latest updates and to remain patient as the crisis unfolded.
The disruptions also reignited debate over the region’s transport infrastructure. With Greater Manchester’s population growing and demand on public transport increasing, technical failures like those on September 24 have far-reaching consequences—not just for commuters, but for local businesses and the broader economy. The need for resilient, modern infrastructure has never been more apparent. As one frustrated commuter put it, “We rely on these trains and trams every day. When they go down, it’s not just a delay—it’s a real blow to everyone trying to get on with their lives.”
While Greater Manchester grappled with its immediate transport woes, the North West braced for even more significant disruption looming on the horizon. At the start of 2026, Network Rail is set to embark on a major £60 million project to replace the 60-year-old Clifton Bridge over the M6 near Penrith. The West Coast Main Line will be blocked between Preston and Carlisle from January 1 to January 14, forcing a two-week closure that threatens to upend travel between England and Scotland.
To keep people moving, Avanti West Coast has announced an innovative solution: for the first time in over a decade, its new bi-mode Class 805 Evero trains will run along the historic Settle to Carlisle Line as a diversionary route. The 73-mile stretch, famed for its stunning scenery and engineering marvels like the Ribblehead Viaduct, will see up to six trainsets shuttling passengers every two hours between Preston and Carlisle, bypassing the blocked main line and sparing customers from lengthy replacement bus journeys.
Andy Mellors, Managing Director at Avanti West Coast, explained the rationale: “Our plan to run Evero trains on the Settle to Carlisle line is all about giving our passengers the best experience during next January’s extensive engineering work. We know through industry research that during planned disruption customers prefer to stay on trains and avoid lengthy replacement bus journeys where possible.”
Network Rail’s North West Route Director, Phil James, echoed this sentiment, calling the diversion “a testament to our collaboration.” He added, “We’re investing £60m in a new railway bridge to take the West Coast Main Line over the M6, keeping passengers, freight, and road users in Cumbria safe for generations.”
The Settle to Carlisle Line itself is steeped in history, having survived past threats of closure thanks to community activism and a resurgence in passenger numbers. Today, it stands as a vital link, not just for local services but as a crucial fallback when the main arteries of Britain’s rail network are under repair.
As Greater Manchester’s day of disruption showed, and as the upcoming West Coast Main Line closure will likely reinforce, the resilience of the UK’s transport network depends on both immediate crisis management and long-term strategic investment. For now, passengers are left hoping that lessons learned from these incidents will pave the way for smoother journeys ahead.
