Train services to Manchester Victoria from the east side of the city are being disrupted on 14 September following what appears to be an arson attack in the Miles Platting area on the night of 13 September.

At approximately 22.30 on 13 September a relay room at Miles Platting Junction was set on fire and virtually destroyed. The relay room houses all the electronic equipment that operates the points, signals and railway telephones in the area.

Network Rail has engineers on site who will work round the clock to repair the damage and renew the equipment but this could take up to two weeks.

Jo Kaye, Network Rail’s area general manager apologised for the disruption to train services and the inconvenience caused, saying: “The relay room is the heart of the signalling system. Not only do we have to replace damaged components but we have to install whole electronic systems, which then have to be tested to ensure their safety and reliability. We’ll have engineers working around the clock to get things up and running as soon as possible and keep delays to a minimum..”

In the meantime, a special timetable has had to be introduced by train operator Northern:

• A half hourly service will call at all stations Manchester Victoria - Shaw - Rochdale
• There will be a reduced service on the Calder Valley line (Halifax to Manchester Victoria via Todmorden, Littleborough and Rochdale)
• An hourly service will operate from Huddersfield to Ashton-under-Lyne this will connect to a bus replacement service into Manchester Victoria

Full details of the temporary timetable can be obtained from National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or by logging on to www.nationalrail.co.uk