These are all the train services cancelled today as new coronavirus timetable comes into force

Train services in Lancashire are being stripped back from today (Monday, March 23) due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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In a bid to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further, the Government is now asking people to reduce their use of public transport.

As a result, beginning this morning, Northern Trains, in line with the rest of the industry, has introduced a temporary timetable.

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The reduced timetable will have around half the number of trains running compared to a normal weekday, with early morning and late evening services where possible to support those doing shift work.

A spokesman for Northern said: "During this difficult time, we’re committed to supporting all our customers and ensuring that if they do need to make that essential journey, it is as safe as it can possibly be.

"We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause our customers.

"Please check immediately before you travel. Rail replacement services may run on some of the routes."

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All services on the following Northern routes are now cancelled unless otherwise stated:

Avanti will run just one service per hour, to and from London, on the West Coast Main Line from today (March 23)Avanti will run just one service per hour, to and from London, on the West Coast Main Line from today (March 23)
Avanti will run just one service per hour, to and from London, on the West Coast Main Line from today (March 23)

Preston – Manchester Victoria

Blackpool – Manchester Airport

Liverpool – Blackpool

Morecambe – Lancaster (replacement bus in operation)

A reduced train timetable has come into force today (Monday, March 23)A reduced train timetable has come into force today (Monday, March 23)
A reduced train timetable has come into force today (Monday, March 23)

Liverpool – Manchester Airport

Liverpool – Wigan now 1 train per hour

Liverpool – Manchester Oxford Road reduced to 1 train per hour

Liverpool - Warrington Bank Quay

Avanti West Coast Main Line services affected

Avanti will be running 1 train per hour to and from London to: - Wolverhampton via Birmingham and Coventry - Manchester - Glasgow - Liverpool.

There may be further developments to this timetable.

What Northern is doing to protect its customers​​​​​​​

"We have a robust plan in place for cleaning our trains", said a spokesman.

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"This includes the removal of litter throughout the day and to ensure all surfaces are cleaned on a regular basis.

"On-board our trains and at stations, where facilities exist, there is soap and water available in our toilets for customers to follow NHS advice to wash their hands for 20 seconds.

"If you come across a toilet with no soap, please alert a member of staff immediately."

What the train operators are saying

In a joint statement issued yesterday (Sunday, March 22), train operators explained why they would be switching to a reduced timetable from Monday.

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A spokesman for National Rail said: "These are exceptional times. COVID-19 is changing how everyone in the UK lives, works and travels.

"But we know that Britain’s railway is a vital artery that keeps the economic and social lifeblood of the nation connected through this challenging period.

"That is why, in order to keep essential services running over what may be a prolonged period of disruption for the country, we have worked with government to switch to a reduced timetable from Monday.

"It is not an easy decision, but it is a necessary one which will allow us to match the number of services available to our reduced workforce.

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"It means that key workers like nurses, police officers and firefighters will continue to be able to get to their jobs over the coming weeks and months. It means that freight trains will continue to deliver the goods that keep our supermarket shelves stacked and our power stations running.

"It won’t be perfect but we are monitoring journeys closely and should it become necessary in the weeks ahead, we will adjust services to ensure they’re being delivered to where they’re needed most.

"We advise anybody who has to travel to check the time of their train on the National Rail website before they set out.

"If your journey is essential and you need to travel by train, please follow public health advice: if you need to cough or sneeze please ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’. If you or the people you live with have symptoms, you should stay at home. Protect yourself. Protect others. Protect the NHS."

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