Do not travel warning as derailment blocks west coast rail line

Passengers are being told not to travel between Preston and Glasgow after a freight train derailed blocking one of only two cross-border rail routes in the UK.

Services are being cancelled and delayed because of the incident on the West Coast Main Line between Carlisle and Oxenholme Lake District on Wednesday night.

The disruption is affecting Avanti West Coast and TransPennine Express services.

Some lines are blocked and a very limited train service is running on the line that remains open.

Both train operators issued the "do not travel" alert, urging passengers not to attempt to use their services for journeys between Preston and Scotland on Thursday.

Ticket holders can delay journeys until Friday or travel with other operators.

Network Rail was approached for a comment.

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