Large power cuts hit UK – all lines blocked due to power outage at Wrexham General station

Update: National Grid have tweeted to say, “We experienced issues with two power generators causing loss of power in selected UK areas. The issue is now resolved and the system has returned to normal. Anyone continuing to experience a local issue should contact their local Distribution Network Operator for assistance”.

Update: Western Power Distribution, the electricity distribution network operator for the Midlands, South West and Wales, has said “90% of customers are now restored and we are working hard to restore the remaining customers as soon as possible.”

North Wales Police have not updated, however Cheshire Police have said: “We’re aware of a power outage in the Ellesmere Port area, including in Great Sutton and Little Sutton. Our call handlers are unable to assist, please contact your electricity provider for advice.”

We currently have BTP officers assisting at several stations owing to current disruption caused by power issues. Please check @nationalrailenq before you start your journey and as always, text 61016 if you need us. https://t.co/5HeOhsm3Ub

— British Transport Police (@BTP) August 9, 2019

Original information below…

Major power cuts are hitting the UK late this afternoon.

Due to failure of the electricity supply at Wrexham General station all lines are blocked.

Transport For Wales Rail say ‘Train services running through this station will be cancelled’.

Powercuts are affecting large areas of the UK what has been described as a ‘large scale National Grid failure’.

Network Rail reported the loss of all signalling between Bidston and Wrexham Central – with the BBC reporting that was a similar issue UK wide.

“As of 17:00, all trains have been stopped until the signalling system and associated train detection and safety interlocking systems are tested, reset and safe to resume.”

Replacement road transport services are conveying passengers between Bidston and Wrexham Central via Shotton in both directions until further notice.

It is unconfirmed if the local issue is connected to the wider UK problems with supply. BBC Northwest is reporting ‘large scale power cuts in Stockport and Ellesmere Port areas’, and issues are reported towards Chester and into Shropshire.

The latest update from Transport For Wales does indicate a wider problem, “A power failure is causing disruption to Transport for Wales services. Trains may be delayed or cancelled. Disruption is expected to continue until the end of the day. Trains on the following routes are being affected: Between Bidston and Wrexham General, Between Cardiff Central and Cheltenham Spa, Between Cardiff Central and Shrewsbury Between Shrewsbury and Chester.

There are no updates from SP Energy however many other power companies have reported dealing with large outages

We are currently experiencing a major incident on the national electricity infrastructure. We are in the process of restoring customers now and will provide further updates as soon as possible for specific areas We are sorry for the inconvenience this is causing.

— WPD (@wpduk) August 9, 2019

Due to a large scale National Grid failure there is a power cut in the London and South East areas, meaning that some traffic lights are down. Please be very cautious on the roads!

— TfL Traffic News (@TfLTrafficNews) August 9, 2019

#powercut #ne3 #ne5 #ne8 #ne9 #ne10 #ne13 #ne15 #ne20 #ne37 #ne38 #dh4

We are aware of an unexpected issue affecting the above postcodes and are working hard to restore power by 1830

We will post any further updates here#teampowergrid

— Northern Powergrid (@Northpowergrid) August 9, 2019

More shortly.