Train services cancelled after lorry crashes onto railway line from A74 near Gretna

A lorry driver has been charged after a HGV crashed off a motorway onto a railway line in Dumfries and Galloway.

Emergency services are currently at the scene after the vehicle came off the A74(M) near junction 22 on Friday morning.

The Scottish Ambulance Service said that the lorry driver was taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.

Police confirmed the man has since been charged in connection with a road traffic offence.

The line between Gretna and Carlisle has been shut and ScotRail said it was “unlikely” trains would run through the route for the rest of the day.

Alternative transport had been requested and customers can travel on Avanti West Coast and Transpennine Express services between Glasgow, Lockerbie and Carlisle until further notice.

Traffic on the motorway was disrupted during some of the afternoon to allow for recovery of the lorry.

The A74(M) southbound near Gretna was reduced to one lane and the slip road for junction 22 closed for a time to allow for the recovery of the vehicle.

Phil Campbell, ScotRail’s customer operations director, said: “ScotRail services between Glasgow Central and Carlisle via Dumfries are currently disrupted following an incident between Gretna and Carlisle.

“To keep people moving, customers with valid train tickets can travel on alternative routes where possible, with replacement buses also in operation.

“Anyone delayed by 30 minutes or more can claim compensation through our Delay Repay Guarantee.”

Network Rail said that West Coast Main Line services are not affected by the incident.

In a post on X it said: “We’re still working with the emergency services dealing with an obstruction blocking the railway between Carlisle and Gretna, closing the Carlisle-Dumfries line.”

In a statement, Police Scotland said: “The incident was reported around 8am.

“A man was taken to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary as a precaution.

“The man has been charged in connection with a road traffic offence. Motorists are thanked for their patience.”

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We received a call at 7.59am to attend an incident near Junction 22, on the M74, Gretna.

“We dispatched one ambulance and one paramedic response unit to the scene. One patient was transported to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary.”