Eleven trains axed for Wigan in further driver shortages

Eleven more train services, serving Wigan North Western, have been axed tonight

Rail operator Northern has confirmed that various services, mainly between Blackpool North and Liverpool Lime Street, have been scrapped.

Earlier delays of between an hour and 90 minutes had been reported by the company, before the cancellations were confirmed.

Affected trains have included the 3.37pm, 4.36pm, 5.36pm and 7.36pm from Lime Street to Blackpool. Each service calls at Wigan North Western 30 minutes into their journey.

And the 4.01pm, 5.01pm, 6.03pm, 7.05pm and 9pm Blackpool to Lime Street train, which arrives in Wigan 45 minutes later, have also been hit.

The 8.29pm Preston to Lime Street service, and 11.15pm Lime Street to Preston services, which also serve Wigan North Western, will also not run.

Rail unions slammed "Meltdown Monday", earlier this week, when services were similarly curtailed.

Northern says it is working hard to make new timetables, which came into operation on Sunday, work for passengers.