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Passengers have been urged to avoid Leeds Train Station after it was abruptly shut due to a technical problem.

National Rail reports that all lines at the station are blocked because of a signalling system malfunction.

Travellers describe the situation outside the station as complete "chaos".

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A post on National Rail's X account - previously Twitter - initially said disruption was expected until 5pm, but an update just before 6pm confirmed: "Leeds station is currently closed."

BBC Look North presenter Peter Levy shared on social media:

"Chaos at Leeds station, all trains not running. In huge queue waiting for replacement buses to Hull!".

National Rail issued a statement explaining:

"A fault with the signalling system in the Leeds area means all lines are closed. No trains are able to run to / from / through Leeds and will be cancelled, delayed by up to 120 minutes, revised or diverted."

Leeds station remains shut with major disruption anticipated until the end of the day, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Services hit by the chaos include:

• CrossCountry between Penzance, Plymouth, Bristol Temple Meads and Edinburgh; between Reading and Newcastle; and between Plymouth and Leeds, Glasgow Central.
• LNER between London Kings Cross and Bradford Forster Square, Skipton, Leeds, Harrogate.
• Northern between Blackpool North, Blackburn, Leeds and York; between Lancaster, Morecambe, Chester, Wigan Wallgate, Manchester Victoria, Bradford Interchange, Bradford Forster Square, Lincoln, Skipton, Ilkley, Castleford, Knottingley, Halifax, Hull, Goole, Doncaster, Sheffield and Leeds; between Leeds and Harrogate, Knaresborough, York, Ribblehead, Carlisle; and between Halifax, Bradford Interchange and Hull.
• TransPennine Express between Liverpool Lime Street and Newcastle, Edinburgh; between Hull, Scarborough and Leeds; and between Manchester Victoria and Leeds, York, Scarborough, Saltburn, Redcar Central.

Northern has advised affected passengers not to travel and ticket restrictions have been waived for alternative services.

LNER confirmed rail replacement buses are operating between Leeds and Doncaster, with services being organised between Bradford Forster Square, Harrogate, York and Leeds.

However, numerous cancellations are affecting LNER's network and they're advising customers travelling to Bradford Forster Square, Harrogate, Wakefield Westgate and Leeds to stay home.

TransPennine has advised customers whose journey begins or ends in Leeds, or passes through the city, to avoid travelling unless it is absolutely essential.