Major disruption between Manchester and Liverpool as Chat Moss line faces closure for most of the day.

A significant railway line in Greater Manchester has been shut down following an incident where a suspected drink-driver crashed their car onto the tracks in Salford. The car, which was overturned and surrounded by debris, disrupted train services between Manchester and Liverpool on Friday morning.

Greater Manchester Police arrested the driver on suspicion of drink-driving after the crash, which occurred near the Regent Road roundabout. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

Train services operated by Northern, TransPennine Express, and Transport for Wales were severely impacted by the crash. A Network Rail spokesperson confirmed that the vehicle had caused substantial damage to the tracks and overhead electric cables, which provide power to trains.

“In the early hours of this morning, a car collided with the railway near Regents Road, causing significant damage. As a result, no trains can run on the Chat Moss line between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Piccadilly,” the spokesperson said.

Engineers and British Transport Police are currently working to remove the vehicle from the tracks and to repair the damaged cables. However, Network Rail has warned that the line is likely to remain closed for the majority of the day.

Passengers were urged to check with their train operators for the latest updates and plan alternative routes due to the ongoing disruption.