Lineside Fire Near Holywell Jn

[LNW-GW Joint]

Big clouds of black smoke over Flintshire this morning, apparently from a recycling plant fire at Greenfield near Holywell Jn.
North Wales main line apparently closed with bus substitution Chester-Rhyl.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22656034

Also a signalling problem at Earlestown so not a great day for Manchester-North Wales passengers.

 

[merlodlliw]

Big clouds of black smoke over Flintshire this morning, apparently from a recycling plant fire at Greenfield near Holywell Jn.
North Wales main line apparently closed with bus substitution Chester-Rhyl.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22656034

Also a signalling problem at Earlestown so not a great day for Manchester-North Wales passengers.

The fire site is next to the railway, near to the Old Holywell Town/Holywell Junc railway bridge, trains running again.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

I've not long arrived back in Bangor, was on 09h10 from Euston, left Chester on time but was halted nr Connah's Quay, eventually moving to the up line and returning to Chester where a bus took us to Rhyl. where (I think) the 13h41 to Cardiff was terminated and became 13h56 to Holyhead. Eventually arrived in Bangor at 14h55.
There were a number of passengers on the Virgin train expecting to catch the afternoon Stena ferry. The original hope was that space could be found for them on the Irish Ferries fast ferry sailing at 17h15, however on arrival back at Chester they were informed that the fast ferry was full and were advised to go home and try again tomorrow. Not helpful, for many that was impossible and a fair amount were continuing to Holyhead with the hope of a 'standby' on the fast ferry or possibly being put up in a hotel until the next sailing.