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Locked out in the cold as Rochdale Train Station staff didn't turn up to unlock the gates

Tuesday, 17 February 2026 10:00

By David Murphy

Credit: Wayne Kieron

Passengers arrived at Rochdale railway station early this morning to find the doors locked and no trains running due to staff shortages.

No services were operating to or from Rochdale on Tuesday 17 February after the station failed to open at the start of the day. National Rail said the disruption was caused by a shortage of station staff.

A notice on the National Rail website stated that trains may be delayed by up to 15 minutes or revised and that Rochdale would not be served. The disruption was expected to last until at least 8am. Northern services were among those affected.

One commuter shared a photograph of the closed entrance gates and wrote online, "Is there a strike on? We're all waiting to catch our train".

Routes impacted included services between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale, Blackburn and Leeds, between Rochdale and Blackburn and Clitheroe, between Chester and Wigan North Western and Leeds, between Wigan Wallgate and Blackburn and Leeds, and between Headbolt Lane and Blackburn.

Passengers were advised to use Metrolink services or Transport for Greater Manchester bus routes between Manchester and Rochdale. Buses serving the corridor include the 17, 17A, 18, 41, 115, 116, 135, 149, 163, 456, 457, 458 and 471.

It is not yet clear how many services were cancelled in total or how many passengers were affected during the morning peak.

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