Australia news live: Sydney trains plagued by morning cancellations due to ‘urgent’ repairs to overhead wires

Transport for NSW has put on “limited” buses replacing trains for Sydney’s north shore this morning, with major cancellations and delays across multiple lines.

The problem, we’re told, is “urgent overhead wiring repairs at Chatswood”.

Commuters are warned their morning journey may take ۴۵ minutes longer than usual, and it’s suggested they use the Metro instead if they can. TFNSW says:

Limited buses are replacing trains from Gordon, all stations to Chatswood only due to urgent overhead wiring repairs at Chatswood. An unscheduled rail shuttle service will run between Hornsby and Gordon in both directions.

Trains that normally terminate at North Sydney and Berowra continue as tabled while Train services that normally end/start from Lindfield and Gordan will now end/start from North Sydney. Please note that some services will be cancelled to reduce congestion and avoid longer delays.

The ABC reports crews have been working through the night to fix the problem, but a Sydney Trains spokesperson told local radio:

Those travelling from the north, ie through Hornsby, options are to come by Strathfield as well and also connect with the Metro at Epping.

The north, as you know, for the T۱ North Shore is also connected to the Western line, so we are going to be running a reduced frequency from the west as well, unfortunately, this morning.

There are also impacts to the T۱ western line, intercity services and the central coast line.