Railway staff are preparing Britain’s railway for the predicted cold and stormy weather on Thursday and Friday (8/9 January) with a challenging 24 hours of heavy snow, ice, rain and high winds ahead of them. Storm Goretti is on its way, and with it the inevitable cancellation and disruption on the railways, so we’ve got the lowdown on the trains that can be used and ones that will be cancelled around the North West, including Liverpool.
Storm Goretti is set to affect train services across the UK
Passengers are urged to check before they travel on Thursday afternoon and evening, and particularly on Friday morning, as Storm Goretti is forecast to last well into the night, potentially affecting the start of services.
Heavy snow is forecast in Wales, the Midlands and the North West from Thursday afternoon, along with high winds forecast in the South West, and potentially heavy rain in the South. Some lines will be closed in Wales from Thursday afternoon, and some routes in the North West may also need to be shut as a precaution.
Network Rail regional director Jake Kelly said: “Thousands of railway colleagues will do everything they can to keep the railway running across the country on Thursday night and Friday morning, but even with their best efforts we are concerned that the scale of the storm means there may still be some disruption in some areas.
“While Storm Goretti is forecast to impact most of Britain, there are some areas that could be more affected than others, so our best advice to customers is simply to arm themselves with the best information they can, from National Rail or their operators.
“In the meantime, we are working hard to get the network as best prepared as we can so we can keep rail customers moving”.
Why are trains disrupted during the storm?
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In very cold weather, snow and ice can build up on the tracks, blocking points, the equipment that allows trains to move between tracks
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Ice can coat the electrified third rail and overhead power cables, preventing trains from drawing the power they need to run and leaving them stranded
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Icicles on tunnels, bridges and other structures can also damage trains and overhead power cables
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In very snowy weather where snow lies deeper than 30cm, trains can’t run safely unless they have been fitted with snow ploughs.
Which trains are cancelled & disrupted in the North West due to Storm Goretti?
TransPennine Express
TransPennine Express (TPE) is advising customers that they cannot travel between Manchester and Sheffield from 6pm on Thursday 8 January until Saturday 10 January, as the railway line will be closed ahead of Storm Goretti, which is forecast to bring heavy snowfall across the North of England and Scotland.
Passengers cannot travel between Manchester and Sheffield during this closure.
Services between Liverpool Lime Street and Cleethorpes will operate only between the following stations, in both directions: Liverpool Lime Street – Manchester Oxford Road and Sheffield – Cleethorpes.
For all other routes across the TPE network, customers are strongly advised to check travel updates in advance and be prepared for disruption, including possible delays and cancellations.
Customers holding tickets for journeys on the affected route can defer their travel at no extra cost. Tickets may be used to travel earlier on Thursday 8 January, or on any service up to and including Sunday 11 January 2026.
TPE tickets may also be used between Manchester and Sheffield on East Midlands Railway (EMR) and Northern services at no extra cost. Alternatively, customers may request a full refund here.
Northern Rail
Starting from approximately 6pm on Thursday 8 January the following routes will be suspended:
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Between Guide Bridge and Glossop/Hadfield
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Between Hazel Grove and Buxton
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Between New Mills Central and Sheffield
The above routes will remain suspended until the end of the day on Friday 9 January and you are strongly advised not to travel.
Be aware that across the network, trains that do run may be delayed, cancelled or altered at late notice due to the severe weather. Check before you travel here.
Transport for Wales
Starting from approximately 3pm on Thursday 8 January the following routes will be suspended:
- Between Liverpool Lime Street and Chester
Starting from approximately 3pm on Thursday 8 January the following routes will have a reduced service:
- Between Manchester and Chester
Check before you travel here.
Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast are running fewer trains on some of their routes from 3pm. If you have an Avanti West Coast ticket dated Thursday 8 January, you can use it to travel at any time on today, 8 January on the same route, at no extra cost.
Several services between Manchester Piccadilly and London Euston, and Liverpool Lime Street and London Euston will be cancelled, or miss out stops due to the weather. Others are severely delayed, so do check before you travel here.
East Midlands Railway
Due to the Hope Valley disruption, the line between Sheffield and Manchester will be closed from 6pm until the start of service on Saturday 10 January. This means that East Midlands Railway services cannot run between Sheffield and Manchester for most of today and all of Friday 9 January.
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The 09:52 Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street service (which departs Sheffield at 13:43) will be the last East Midlands Railway train towards Manchester and Liverpool
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The 15:51 Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich service will be the last East Midlands Railway train from Liverpool and Manchester towards Sheffield, Nottingham and Norwich.
No services will run between Manchester and Sheffield all day on Friday 9 January.
Due to the weather conditions, there will be no rail replacement buses running between Manchester Piccadilly and Sheffield in either direction. Check before you travel here.
All information accurate as of 11am, Thursday 8 January.