MANCHESTER Victoria Station is shut after an explosion at Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert last night.

Police confirmed 22 people have died and 59 people were injured by a bomb blast at around 10.35pm.

Northern rail has released a temporary timetable as no services will be running to or from Manchester Victoria until further notice and the RMT union has suspended plans for strike action on Tuesday 30 May.

Trains will run on the following routes to replace the services that would usually call at Manchester Victoria: Huddersfield to Stalybridge, Wigan to Salford (via Atherton), Leeds to Rochdale, Blackpool to Manchester Oxford Road, Clitheroe to Bolton to Blackburn, Kirby to Wigan.

All services to and from Manchester Piccadilly, and to and from south Manchester stations, will run as normal.

The following services are also operating as usual:

  • Blackpool – Bolton – Manchester Piccadilly – Manchester Airport
  • Southport – Bolton – Manchester Piccadilly – Manchester Airport
  • Liverpool – Manchester Piccadilly – Manchester Airport
  • Preston – Manchester Piccadilly - Hazel Grove

Rob Warnes, performance and planning director at Northern, said: “Manchester Victoria will remain closed on Tuesday as British Transport Police and Greater Manchester Police continue their investigation.

“We have worked to provide as many services as possible on Tuesday, though all services may be subject to short notice cancellations and delays as we strive to keep people on the move.

“The thoughts of everyone at Northern are with those affected by last night’s horrific incident and we ask all our customers to show patience and understanding as we work with colleagues across the industry to deliver as strong a rail service as possible.”

Mick Cash, RMT general secretary, said: “In light of the horrific bombing in Manchester last night, and the heightened safety and security alerts on our transport services, RMT’s executive has taken the decision to suspend the 24 hours of strike action scheduled for Tuesday 30th May on Merseyrail, Northern Rail and Southern Rail.

“Our thoughts and solidarity at this time are with the people of Manchester.”

For further information visit nationalrail.co.uk.