The main railway line between Liverpool and Manchester will remain closed for most of the day after a car crashed on to the tracks.
The single-vehicle crash, which happened near Regents Road roundabout in Salford in the early hours of Friday morning, caused “significant damage to the railway and overhead electric cables”, said Network Rail.
Until British Transport Police and Network Rail engineers are able to remove the car and repair the damaged cables, no trains will be able to run on the Chat Moss line which connects Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the car’s driver had been arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
Rail services on Transport for Wales, TransPennine Express and Northern Rail face significant disruption.
Network Rail said the line was expected to be closed “for the majority of the day”.
It said: “We’re really sorry to any passengers affected by this incident and urge anyone planning to travel by train between Liverpool and Manchester to plan ahead and check with their train operator for the latest travel information.”
A spokesman said it would “take some time to remove the badly damaged car” from the tracks and that there had been “significant damage” to the overhead cables.
National Rail, which represents train operating companies, said disruption between Newton-le-Willows and Manchester Oxford Road / Manchester Victoria was expected until 13:00 GMT.
Rail replacement bus services have been organised, the details of which are on the National Rail website.
Northern Rail customers have been advised that they can use their ticket on rail replacement bus services running at 30 minutes past every hour between Newton-le-Willows and Manchester Victoria. The last service will leave at 12:30 GMT.
