A railways arch has partially collapsed near Wigan North Western station (01/12)

[Statto]

Train have been cancelled and delayed this morning after a bridge collapsed near the tracks in Wigan .

There are currently issues with services by Virgin, Northern and Transpennine services.

Several of the town centre’s roads have also been shut off and Wigan North Western station had been evacuated and closed.

It reopened at around 11am.

A video filmed by Wigan Council, above, shows emergency services at the scene.

Police were called to the station on Wallgate at 8.40am on Thursday to reports that an arch had collapsed on top of some cars.

A railways arch has partially collapsed near Wigan North Western station
A railways arch has partially collapsed near Wigan North Western station

The lines were closed but have have now reopened, but there are major delays to a number of services in and out of Wigan.

Virgin Trains posted on its website to say disruption is expected until at least midday.

Passengers are urged to check with their provider for updates.

A spokesman for GMP said: “Shortly before 8.40am on December 1 police were called to Wallgate, Wigan, to reports of a collapsed arch.

“Officers attended and found a wall has collapsed onto parked cars.


“Road closures are in place on Queen Street, King Street West, Wallgate and Great George Street. Wigan North Western has been evacuated and closed while the area is secured.”

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “Part of a disused subway which runs underneath the railway and above the road - which has been long been blocked off and filled in – has collapsed.

"This is affecting platform 6 which remains closed. All other platforms are open.

"A full assessment of the structure will take place to inform any repair work which may be needed. The railway remains open but passengers should check with National Rail Enquiries for the latest information.”

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...s/bridge-collapse-wigan-causes-chaos-12256746

Looking at Realtime trains, looks like it happened around 8.30am as 9M48 was the first train affected by it.

 

[WatcherZero]

Sounds like the old subway from when there used to be a station entrance on Queen Street.

 

[route:oxford]

Interestingly the retail units that were to either side have closed down in the last 3 years.

Perhaps there have been issues with the structure in recent times?

 

[WatcherZero]

Doubt it, they've been converting them from industrial units to retail units, probably cheaper industrial units elsewhere so they've moved on.

 

[yorksrob]

Thank goodness the pub wasn't affected !

 

[STANDISH]

Not sure if the pub is open tonight ?

Train services restarted fairly quickly after safety checks.

The major problems were on the road system in Wigan . Queen Street ,which is one way ,plays important part in the road network in the area. The closure of the road resulted in chaos and grid lock on the surrounding roads for the rest of the day.

 

[47271]

The pub was my first thought as well!

 

[WatcherZero]

Wall rebuilding work now begun, with the debris cleared you can see the former internal staircase.

 

[djpontrack]

Wall rebuilding work now begun, with the debris cleared you can see the former internal staircase.

I saw that on Sunday evening when I visited Wigan Central for a pint. I'm pleased to say the pub is not affected.