A fire that broke out beside the tracks between Hindley and Ince this morning triggered major disruption across several Northern Rail services in Greater Manchester. The incident forced speed restrictions and route changes affecting lines including Manchester Oxford Road, Stalybridge to Southport, Blackburn to Headbolt Lane and Leeds to Wigan Wallgate.
Fire at Trackside Location
At approximately 6:45 AM the Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service attended a fire involving a pile of rubbish and wooden railway sleepers beneath the rail line near Hindley. Fire crews from Hindley station contained and extinguished the blaze in around 45 minutes. Although the fire itself was quickly dealt with, its location so close to the rails triggered major safety protocols for train operators.
Safety Measures Create Delays
Due to the fire’s proximity to the tracks, Northern Rail imposed precautionary speed reductions and route diversions through the affected area. These measures slowed arrivals and departures during the morning rush, especially across the Wigan—Leeds, Southport—Stalybridge and Blackburn—Headbolt Lane corridors. For example, the 6:08 AM Manchester Victoria-Southport service was delayed by 41 minutes departing from Bolton, while a 6:25 AM Southport-Stalybridge service ran 11 minutes late.
Services Affected
Key affected routes include:
- Manchester Oxford Road → Southport
- Stalybridge → Southport
- Blackburn → Headbolt Lane
- Leeds → Wigan Wallgate
Northern has warned that the disruption could continue through the morning peak as trains navigate the restricted section of track.
Alternative Travel Options
To reduce passenger impact, Northern Rail has confirmed temporary changes:
- Ticket acceptance on MerseyRail services for travel between Southport, Headbolt Lane and Liverpool until 9:30 AM.
- All standard, advance and peak ticket restrictions suspended in the impacted zone, giving travellers more flexibility.
Travellers are advised to check live updates before departing and allow extra time for journeys.
Response from Emergency Services
Fire crews arrived promptly, extinguished the blaze swiftly and assessed the adjacent terrestrial and track infrastructure for safety. No injuries have been reported. The incident underlines the vulnerability of rail operations to even small fires adjacent to key lines.
Effect on Local Travel and Visitor Plans
While the disruption appears likely to resolve later today, the fire’s ripple effects are felt by commuters and tourists alike. Major routes connecting towns and leisure hubs across Greater Manchester and beyond now face delays or alternate routing. Local tourism operators warn that early-day travel plans into the region may face interference and recommend passengers build contingency time into itineraries.
Advice for Passengers
- Check live service updates via Northern Rail or National Rail app before travel.
- Expect longer journey times, particularly between Manchester, Wigan, Liverpool, Leeds and Blackburn.
- Use alternative routes or stations if possible; talk to station staff about best paths.
- Hold onto tickets if delays exceed 15 minutes—compensation may apply.
- Allow extra time for onward connections (coaches, buses) in the affected area.
Outlook
Although the fire incident itself lasted under an hour, the after-effects continue to influence rail operations. Once full speeds resume and diversions lift, services should stabilise over the coming hours. Network rail engineers and operators remain on site monitoring the line’s condition and enabling restoration of standard timetable operations.
Final Thought
For anyone travelling through Greater Manchester, the fire near Hindley station serves as a reminder that even short incidents beside the track can trigger widespread disruption. Passengers travelling on Northern Rail routes today should monitor updates, adjust plans where necessary and travel with extra caution and flexibility.
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