Standedge Tunnel Fire Forces Ongoing Rail Disruption Across the Pennines

Rail disruption across the Pennines is expected to continue into Tuesday morning after a fire broke out inside a key railway tunnel over the weekend.

TransPennine Express confirmed on Sunday that the Standedge Tunnel, which runs between Marsden near Huddersfield and Stalybridge in Tameside, had been closed after a blaze blocked the line. While engineering teams worked overnight, the operator later said repairs would not be completed until the end of Monday.

The closure is affecting services linking West Yorkshire with Manchester, with knock-on disruption to routes from Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria, as well as trains running to and from Liverpool Lime Street.

Where possible, services are being diverted via the Calder Valley. However, TransPennine Express said trains rerouted between Leeds and Manchester Victoria will not stop at Huddersfield or Stalybridge. Some services will make additional calls at Mirfield, allowing passengers to connect with Northern trains towards Huddersfield and Leeds.

In updated travel advice, the operator urged passengers travelling from Manchester to Huddersfield to use Manchester Victoria and change at Dewsbury for rail replacement services. Those heading from Leeds to Huddersfield were advised to travel via Sheffield or also change to replacement transport at Dewsbury.

A TPE spokesperson said:

"Please be advised other operators are likely to be busy and customers may experience overcrowding on services."

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service also confirmed the source of the fire:

"We were called at 06.08 on the 25th to Standedge Railway Tunnel. This was machinery on fire inside the tunnel. Crews from Slaithwaite, Meltham, Huddersfield and Holmfirth attended from WYFRS, plus Greater Manchester appliances. They extinguished the fire using breathing apparatus and a large jet, no reports of injuries."

Image: John Darch