Roof collapses at Northwich Railway Station causing major disruption

Network Rail and Cheshire Fire Service are currently on site but there have been no injuries as a result of the incident.

Images posted on social media show a pile of rubble on the platform of the station as well as inside the waiting area.

Picture by Hollie Sephton

Services running through this station will now be cancelled or delayed.

Due to rubble on the track, train services are unable to run between Chester and Manchester Piccadilly.

Picture by Hollie Sephton

Northern ticket holders have acceptance on Transport for Wales services between Chester and Manchester Oxford Road via Warrington Bank Quay.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We’re working with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service after a partial building collapse at Northwich station.

"Fortunately, no one has been injured.

"It’s too early to say what caused this.

"Investigations are under way and the station is closed.

"We’re sorry to passengers affected and ask anyone travelling in the area today to check National Rail Enquiries before they make their journey.”

A spokesperson for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Everyone present at the time is accounted for.

"The crew is assessing the scene with representatives from Network Rail and has notified council engineers."

Susan Gadd was on the platform at the time.

She said: "We heard a crash and an incredibly loud noise, then the roof started collapsing at one end of the platform where I was standing underneath with three other people.

"It was collapsing along the length of the platform like a domino effect so in a split second I decided to jump onto the track to escape but saw a train approaching so I sprinted to the other end of the platform instead!

"The fire brigade arrived extremely quickly and everyone was helpful."

John Oates, chairman of Mid Cheshire Rail Users Association had been travelling on a train when the incident happened.

He said: "The conductress looked after us really well and kept us all informed.

"Northern are now putting on replacement coaches and we're standing outside The Slow and Easy.

"They could not have looked after us any better."

Mayor of Northwich Sam Naylor visited the station to see the damage first hand.

He said the situation could have been much worse. 

"I'm really thankful that no-one was injured," he told the Northwich Guardian.

"I've seen it first hand and if someone was under that, it could have been fatal, but Cheshire Fire and National Rail are all over it.

"I anticipate the station will be closed for a while."

Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury also said he was shocked to learn of the news.

"My team have spoken to police and, miraculously, it appears nobody has been injured although there has been major disruption to the railway," he said.

"Clearly there will need to be an official investigation to understand what has happened.

"Having just spoken to a senior Northern Rail manager, the priority is to make the area safe and get the trains running again.

"I am raising this matter with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps as a matter of urgency."