Services between Liverpool Lime Street and Birmingham New Street have been cancelled after damage to overhead wires blocked all lines between Stafford and Wolverhampton. National Rail said the damage to the overhead wires between Stafford and Birmingham New Street means all lines are blocked, including services in and out of Lime Street.
Rail replacement buses in operation
London Northwestern Railway, which operates the service between Liverpool and Birmingham, said: "Damage to overhead lines between Stafford and Wolverhampton. Due to damage to the overhead lines between Stafford and Wolverhampton, the line is currently blocked. Rail replacement services will operate in both directions."
London Northwestern Railway said disruption was expected until 11am. However, on train booking platform Trainline, services between Liverpool and Birmingham have been cancelled until at least 12.30pm.
Network Rail engineers on site
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "Rail passengers are being urged to check before they travel due to overhead line problems on the West Coast Main Line in Staffordshire."
A fault with the 25,000-volt wires which power trains near Penkridge is causing disruption between Stafford and Wolverhampton. Rail replacement buses are in place at Birmingham, Stafford and Wolverhampton to keep passengers on the move as much as possible.
"Network Rail engineers are currently on site working as fast as they can to fix the problem so more trains are able to pass through the area affected."
Wider disruption and advice
Adam Checkley, engineering director for Network Rail Central route, said: "We're sorry to passengers impacted by the overhead line problems at Four Ashes near Penkridge."
"Our engineers are on site trying to get the railway fully reopen as soon as possible. With disruption to train services likely throughout the day, I'd urge people to check National Rail Enquiries before they set off on their journey."
As well as affecting London Northwestern Railway services between Liverpool Lime Street and Birmingham New Street, other services experiencing significant delays are the Avanti West Coast routes between Glasgow and Edinburgh and Birmingham and London and CrossCountry services between Manchester and Birmingham and much of the south east and south coast.
National Rail has issued customer advice for people travelling between Birmingham and Liverpool. Tickets will be accepted on the following services at no extra cost:
- Avanti West Coast between Liverpool Lime Street and Crewe, and also between Wolverhampton and London Euston, though this operator is also affected by the disruption
- CrossCountry between Stafford and Birmingham, also affected by the disruption
- Transport for Wales between Shrewsbury and Birmingham New Street
Replacement buses will run between Stafford and Wolverhampton.
