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

Key events39m agoWelcomeIt the latest update, just minutes ago, Sydney Trains reckons it’ll be some hours before things are back to normal: double quotation markRepair crews are on site and working to restore train services as soon as possible. The repairs are expected to be completed by 10:00am. The problem is apparently a lack of tension.Sydney Trains CEO Matt Longland told the ABC: double quotation markWe have very heavy weights that hang off to the side that keep the tension, keep the wires held up. One of those counterweights failed last night. So crews have been on track through the night. They’re still working through the repairs at the moment, but it’s likely to be later this morning until that work’s completed and they test the wiring system and turn that power back on. 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 45 minutes longer than usual, and it’s suggested they use the Metro instead if they can. TFNSW says: double quotation markLimited 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: double quotation markThose 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 T1 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 T1 western line, intercity services and the central coast line.WelcomeGood morning and welcome to our live news blog. I’m Martin Farrer with the top overnight stories and then it will be Nick Visser with the main action.We begin with a classic “commuter chaos” update: there are widespread train cancellations in Sydney this morning due to problems with overhead wiring at a major hub.More on that soon.