LNER issues 'do not travel' warning as overhead wire damage cripples East Coast Main Line

Train operator LNER has advised passengers to avoid traveling today as major damage to overhead electric wires between Peterborough and Stevenage causes severe cancellations and delays across the entire network.

Although the line has partially reopened, disruption to services running between London King’s Cross, Yorkshire, the North East, and Scotland is expected to last until the end of the day.

LNER is strongly recommending that passengers defer their journeys where possible.

Tickets dated for August 16 will be valid for travel on any LNER service on August 17.

Passengers do not need to exchange their tickets, though making a new seat reservation online is strongly advised.

Network Rail engineers remain on site assessing the extent of the damage and working on repairs.

List of affected services

(Information correct as of 2pm)

Arrivals

• 2:10pm from Doncaster (cancelled)
• 2:22pm from London Kings Cross (cancelled)
• 2:50pm from London Kings Cross (delayed)
• 2:57 from York (delayed)
• 3:30pm from Harrogate (cancelled)
• 3:21pm from London Kings Cross (cancelled)
• 3:49pm from London Kings Cross (cancelled)
• 3:57 from Bradford Forster Square (cancelled)
• 4:22pm from London Kings Cross (delayed)

Departures

• 2:10 to London Kings Cross (delayed)
• 2:40pm to London Kings Cross (cancelled)
• 2:58 to Harrogate (delayed)
• 3:40pm to London Kings Cross (cancelled)
• 3:59 to Bradford Forster Square (cancelled)
• 4:10pm to London Kings Cross (cancelled)

Alternative Travel & Ticket Acceptance

For passengers who must travel today, LNER tickets are being accepted at no extra cost across the following alternative routes and operators:

• TransPennine Express: Between Manchester, Leeds, York, and Newcastle
• CrossCountry: Between Sheffield, Doncaster/Leeds, York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh
• Northern: Between Carlisle and Newcastle
• Lumo: Between London King's Cross and Edinburgh
• Grand Central: Between London King's Cross and York

Passengers are urged to check their full journey details using online journey planners before setting off.