Major rail disruption to continue 'into next week' after cracks found in trains

9 May 2021, 10:02 | Updated: 9 May 2021, 16:09

Major disruption on Great Western Railway services is expected to continue into next week.
Major disruption on Great Western Railway services is expected to continue into next week. Picture: PA

By Joe Cook

Major travel disruption will continue on Sunday and into the following week after cracks were found on new trains, rail operators have said.

Hundreds of Hitachi 800 model trains were taken out of service on Saturday as a "precautionary measure" after hairline cracks were found on the underside of some carriages.

Hull Trains and Transpennine Express have reintroduced their trains to service after they passed safety inspections, but major disruption is continuing elsewhere, with just 10 percent of long-distance trains running on some services.

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has advised customers "to not travel" on Sunday, including on key inter-city routes from London to Glasgow and Aberdeen.

"We’re doing everything we can to get services up and running again and we're sorry for any disruption to your journey today," LNER added.

Similarly, Great Western Railway warned "a significant number of long-distance services will be cancelled on Sunday 9 May and disruption is expected to continue into the following week."

On Saturday, a spokesperson for the rail company said a crack was spotted in multiple trains which they operate, so all 93 Hitachi 800s in their fleet are now being inspected as a "precaution".

The spokesperson said: "There's a crack that's been spotted and as a result of that - as a precaution - we're checking all the trains, and while that's taking place it's better that they're not used.

"It's been found in more than one train, but we don't know exactly how many trains because the fleet is still being inspected."

Just 12 out of GWR's 93 Hitachi 800 trains are back on the tracks, with 90 percent of long-distance services cancelled, spokesman Dan Panes told Sky News.

Hitachi Rail has apologised for the disruption caused, which they said is related to cracks on lifting points used for maintenance.

A spokesman said: "Safety is our number one priority and as a precaution, the decision was taken to halt the entry into service of our intercity fleets pending inspection.

"We understand the frustration caused and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers and operators.

"Having been cleared for service, some trains are now running again across the network."

LNER Azuma trains are manufactured by Hitachi and only came into service in 2019.
LNER Azuma trains are manufactured by Hitachi and only came into service in 2019. Picture: PA

However, Hitachi Rail CEO Andrew Barr has said he cannot put a timeframe on how long it will take to fix the trains, opening up the possibility of long-term disruption to the UK's inter-city travel links.

Rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris has asked operators to deploy extra staff to help passengers complete their journeys and access refunds.

He added: "I share the frustration of passengers who are experiencing significant disruption, and would ask people whose journeys are affected to check before travelling."

Mr Heaton-Harris added that he had spoken with the Office of Rail and Road who will be conducting "an independent safety investigation into the issues".

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Fun runners cross Tower Bridge during the 2024 London Marathon in central London on April 21, 2024

London Marathon road closures: Everything you need to know about Sunday's race, as route changes revealed

People queue to visit the tomb of Pope Francis a day after his funeral, in Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome on April 27, 2025

First images of Pope's tomb published, as mourners visit 'simple' coffin after private ceremony following vast funeral

Who's running the London Marathon on Sunday?

Celebrities and MPs among London Marathon runners as record numbers gather at the start line

2,010 UK adults found the NHS was among the top concerns for the public.

Tough policies to transform health not viewed as ‘nanny-statism’, poll reveals

Vancouver police secure the scene after a car drove into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Several people killed 'in mass casualty event' after SUV slams into crowd at Vancouver street festival, as man arrested

Tired

A third of Britons say financial anxiety keeps them awake at night

Survey Indicates Scotland Have Different Views On Migration From Rest Of UK

Dodgy advisers posing illegally as immigration lawyers to face fresh crackdown under new bill

Chris Eubank Jr v Conor Benn: Fatal Fury - Fight Night

Chris Eubank Jr wins middleweight bout against Conor Benn

Police are at the scene of a "serious incident" near where the Otley Run pub crawl takes place in Leeds

Counter terror police take over investigation into 'serious incident' in Leeds after firearm and crossbow recovered

Ryan Reynolds co-owner of Wrexham celebrates the opening goal with wife Blake Lively

Wrexham promoted to Championship as Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively celebrate in stands

The reality TV star and campaigner, 30, has reportedly been dating Mr Stacey for less than a year

Love Island star Georgia Harrison announces she is expecting first child with partner Jack Stacey

Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring a goal in the FA Cup semi final

Crystal Palace secure place in FA Cup final for third time after 3-0 victory over Aston Villa

Valerie the dachshund disappeared during a camping trip back in 2023

Miracle in the outback: Joy as mini dachshund found safe and well after spending 529 days alone in Australian wilderness

Palestinians inspect the damage after an Israeli army airstrike in Gaza City on Saturday

Ten dead - including children - after Israeli air strike flattens three-storey home in Gaza

Police remain in the area

Three injured after 'serious incident' in Leeds after 'man with weapons' arrested near popular pub crawl route

a british police car

Horror as 'human remains' found in wooded area in popular seaside town, with police 'searching abandoned caravan'