Key Highlights
- All lines at Stoke-on-Trent station are blocked due to a fault with the signalling system.
- The issue is expected to continue until 10:30 AM on November 21, 2025.
- Affected routes include Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, and Northern services.
- Passengers could be entitled to compensation if their trains are cancelled or delayed.
Rail Disruption Hits Stoke-on-Trent
The disruption at Stoke-on-Trent station has affected thousands of passengers across multiple train networks. The issue, stemming from a fault with the signalling system, has resulted in widespread cancellations and delays. According to National Rail, all lines are blocked due to this technical problem.
Impact on Major Routes
The disruption is affecting several major routes:
- Avanti West Coast: Services between Manchester Piccadilly and London Euston.
- CrossCountry: Connecting Manchester Piccadilly with Bournemouth, Bristol Temple Meads, and Paignton.
- East Midlands Railway: Routes from Crewe to Newark Castle.
- London Northwestern Railway: Services between Crewe and Stafford.
- Northern: Running between Manchester Piccadilly and Stoke-on-Trent, with some services terminating at Macclesfield due to road replacement requests.
Advice for Affected Passengers
A spokesperson from Avanti West Coast provided advice: “If your train is cancelled, your ticket is valid on one of the two Avanti West Coast services immediately before or after your booked train.” Northern also gave guidance, stating that their trains would terminate and start back from Macclesfield to avoid the affected area.
Compensation for Disrupted Journeys
Affected passengers could be entitled to compensation if their journeys were significantly disrupted. Dave Knapper advises keeping train tickets and journey details, which can be used to claim reimbursement through National Rail Enquiries’ compensation scheme.
Recovery Efforts
National Rail reported that the issue is expected to last until 10:30 AM on November 21. A spokesperson noted, “We are currently looking at alternative arrangements to keep you on the move. Please remember that this can take time and be assured that our team are working tirelessly to arrange this as quickly as possible for you.” They also emphasized the importance of passengers’ patience during these recovery efforts.
The disruption has caused significant inconvenience, with train cancellations and delays expected until noon.
Passengers were advised to stay informed through National Rail’s dedicated blog updates. While the situation is not ideal, it highlights the critical role that signalling systems play in ensuring smooth rail operations across the network.
