A RAILWAY line was blocked after a farmer emptied a slurry tank into a flooded station car park in Northwich.

The West Coast Main Line was closed between Warrington and Crewe following the ‘brazen’ act at Hartford Station.

Video footage of the incident showed a tractor towing a trailer reversing into the entrance to the car park before thousands of litres of ‘filthy liquid’ were released onto the access road and train tracks below.

Storm Christoph had already forced several key rail links in the north west to shut, and the farmer’s actions meant that this route was blocked as well – ‘making life tougher still for Network Rail frontline teams battling against the elements’.

North west route director Phil James said: “When we were already struggling with Storm Christoph, this cynical opportunist decided to use the railway as their own personal sewer.

“Seeing this video made my blood boil.

“We will be working with police to take the strongest action possible against this tractor driver for damaging the railway, delaying people and goods and potentially putting the lives of passengers and workers at risk.”

The video was captured by a member of the public between 4pm and 8pm on Wednesday, January 20, before being sent to Network Rail.

British Transport Police are now investigating the incident.